(Scarlett’s POV)
I post it before I can second-guess myself.
Within minutes, the comments start pouring in. Messages of support, people asking what happened, speculation about why I'm closing.
I turn off my phone and set it aside. I can't deal with the outside world right now.
Lily wanders out of her room around ten, dragging Mr. Hopscotch behind her.
"Mama, I'm hungry."
"What do you want for breakfast, baby?"
"Pancakes?"
I nod and start pulling ingredients from the cupboard. Cooking has always been therapeutic for me, and making pancakes for my daughter feels like the most normal thing I can do right now.
As I mix the batter, Lily climbs onto her step stool beside me.
"Can I help?"
"Of course."
She carefully measures vanilla while I c***k eggs. For a few minutes, it feels almo
