Henry slammed the car door shut, exhaustion clinging to him like the stale scent of coffee on his shirt. Another endless day at work, another pile of problems shoved onto tomorrow’s list. All he wanted now was a hot shower, dinner, and maybe—just maybe—a moment of peace.
But as he stepped into the house, the silence hit him first. No faint hum of Thalia’s off-key singing while she tidied up, no soft clatter of dishes being arranged in the kitchen. The house felt… still. Too still.
He frowned, loosening his tie as he walked into the living room where Catherina lounged on the pristine white couch, flipping through a magazine like she hadn’t a care in the world.
“Where’s Thalia?” Henry asked, dropping his keys on the table.
Catherina didn’t even look up. “She’s gone.”
Henry froze mid-ste
