Elodie's POV
The faint smile I'd been forcing disappeared the second I saw Liora's name on my screen.
I stared at it for two, maybe three seconds, my thumb hovering over the answer button.
Finally, I pressed it. "Hello."
"Mommy!" Her voice was sweet, that little sing-song tone she used when she wanted something. "When are you coming home?"
I didn't answer right away. Couldn't.
Because the truth was, I didn't know if I could go back there tonight. Didn't know if I had the strength to walk into that house and pretend everything was fine.
"What's wrong, baby?" I asked instead.
"I'm so bored! Daddy's not here, and Aunt Sienna is busy, and the house is so quiet. Can you please come home and keep me company?"
Each word was a knife.
Daddy's not here. Aunt Sienna is busy.
So I was the b
