She needed air. Needed space to think without walls closing in.
Evie made her way to Riley's workshop, the one place in the estate that felt truly safe.
Where she could exist without pressure or expectations.
She found him bent over a workbench, hands moving with practiced precision over a piece of wood.
He looked up when she entered, concern immediate in his young face.
"You okay?"
"Can I hide in here for a while?"
"Always." He didn't ask what she was hiding from. Just gestured to her usual stool and went back to his carving.
"Want to talk about it or just sit?"
"I don't know." Evie settled onto the stool, watching his hands work. "How do you do that? Just know what the wood wants to be?"
"I don't. I just remove everything that isn't it." Riley's voice was soft, focused.
"Mum
