Evalie started rambling about how many friends she made and how the nurses gave her two apple juice boxes instead of one and how she almost beat the other kids at tag before Mummy came.
Ichika laughed softly, soaking in every word like it was gold.
She stood, ruffling Evalie’s hair affectionately. "You’ve had a big day, haven’t you, sunshine?"
Evalie nodded, grinning.
"How about a nice warm bath, hmm? Wash away the playground dust before dinner?"
Evalie made a face—she hated ending playtime—but she must've seen the exhaustion pulling at me because she didn’t argue.
"Okay, Grandma," she chirped.
Ichika ushered her upstairs, calling after her to be careful on the steps. Once she heard the sound of the bathroom door clicking shut, she turned back to me with laser focus.
I hadn’t moved
