The soft gurgling of the creek blended with the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze. Sunlight filtered through the canopy above, dappling the forest floor in golden hues. I sat cross-legged on the soft moss, watching as Leila’s son, Noah, splashed in the shallow water. His laughter was contagious, and despite the turmoil in my heart, I found myself smiling.
Leila sat beside me, her head resting lightly against a tree trunk. She was relaxed in a way I envied, her joy radiating as she watched her son play.
“You seem lighter today,” she said, her voice teasing but warm.
I shrugged, plucking at a blade of grass. “It’s hard not to be when you’re around Noah. He has a way of making the world seem less heavy.”
Leila grinned. “That’s his gift, isn’t it?” Her tone softened as she turned her
