Anna
I took a few nervous steps toward the sitting area.
Laughter floated through the corridor, warm, loud & unguarded. It slowed me down instantly. For a moment, I felt like I was trespassing on something personal. This was their family time, their private bubble, and no matter how kind the invitation had been, I suddenly felt like an outsider pressing her face to the glass.
Still, I had accepted. Turning back now would only make it worse.
I peeked through the doorway and found them exactly as Liam had always described. Everyone looked relaxed, close & just genuinely enjoying one another’s company.
Mrs. Walton sat at one end of the sofa with Liam perched happily on her lap, her arms wrapped around him as if she never wanted to let go. Her smile was wide and unfiltered, the kind that
