The sun had barely kissed the horizon when Valerie arrived at the Hayes household, her presence a comforting fixture in Primily’s daily life. The ice cream shop incident had been a turning point, a subtle shift that had woven Valerie more intricately into the fabric of their lives. Over the past few weeks, Valerie’s bond with Primily had deepened, surpassing the casual interactions of a neighbor to something more profound and, to Henry and Sophia, unsettling.
This morning was no different. Valerie was already in the kitchen, preparing breakfast with a grace that mirrored Nina’s meticulous care. Primily sat at the table, her small hands wrapped around a mug of hot cocoa, eyes wide with the anticipation of her day. Valerie moved around the kitchen, humming softly, a melody that Nina often u
