Elaris's POV
"Elaris."
I blinked and looked up.
Mrs. Harlow was watching me from across the room, one eyebrow raised knowingly while Noelle sat happily in her lap, chewing on a teething toy as though she didn't have a care in the world.
"You've been staring at us for five minutes."
A smile tugged at my lips.
"Have not."
"Have too," Clara announced immediately.
She sprawled across the rug in front of Mrs. Harlow, making ridiculous faces at Noelle, who responded with delighted squeals every few seconds.
"Noelle and I noticed."
Noah snorted from the armchair.
"Noelle didn't notice anything."
"She did."
The room dissolved into laughter.
For a few seconds, I simply enjoyed the sound of it.
Then my gaze drifted toward the clock.
The smile faded almost instantly.
My stomach tight
