The morning sunlight filtered through the windshield, soft and golden, casting a warm glow over the quiet drive. Ethan was babbling contentedly in his car seat in the back, clutching his favorite stuffed elephant, while Nadyia sat between Liam and Noah in the front of the SUV, a to-go coffee nestled in her hands. Her camera bag was tucked beneath her feet, and the trunk was full of neatly labeled props and equipment for today’s back-to-back sessions. It felt good to be busy again to lean into the rhythm of work. Yet, as the studio came into view, her fingers tightened slightly around the cup.
“You okay?” Liam asked, his voice low, glancing over at her with that quiet attentiveness she was still learning to accept. She nodded. “Just thinking through everything. I’ve got three shoots back-t
