Elena’s POV
I woke to someone watching me.
The room was dim. The lamp on the table made soft light. Aaron stood in the doorway. He did not move when I blinked awake. He just watched.
Jack slept in the crib with one arm flung over his face. I reached for him like a reflex. My hand found his warm back. I kept my fingers there and counted breaths until my chest stopped shaking.
Aaron stayed where he was. He had his hands in his pockets. He looked tired. He smelled like smoke from the fire outside.
“Good morning,” I said, voice rough.
He nodded once. No smile. He shut the door softly behind him, but then he stayed by the frame, like he was not ready to go.
I pulled Jack up and off the blanket. He yawned and blinked at the light. He rubbed his eye with a fist and then loo
