ACE
I watched Lily sit on the couch, shoulders tight, eyes fixed somewhere just past me, like she was bracing for another blow.
Every instinct in me wanted to stay right there. To say something—anything—that might ease the strain etched into her face. But I knew better. If I pushed now, I’d only make it worse. She needed space. And I needed to deal with the storm that had just walked through my front doors wearing my mother’s face.
“I need to go greet her properly,” I said carefully. Neutral. Controlled.
Lily didn’t look at me at first.
I shifted my weight, lowering my voice. “Can you check on Alice? She’s probably still shaken.”
That got her attention. She glanced up, just briefly, then nodded. No argument. No defiance. Just a quiet, resigned acceptance that twisted something sharp
