THE COST FOR LOVE**
The movie had ended, but neither Amara nor Kai had moved.
Ethan had long since passed out, curled like a child on the edge of the couch, a thin trail of drool at the corner of his mouth. The closing credits still rolled in the background, the soft hum of music a lazy echo in the dim living room.
Amara sat stiffly at the far end of the couch, knees tucked to her chest. She hadn’t said a word since Vanessa left. She’d laughed when she needed to, smiled to keep the peace—but she was quiet now, distant. Guarded.
Kai noticed.
He always noticed.
He didn't say anything when she stood and went to the kitchen, just watched her walk away with that usual quiet intensity in his eyes—like a storm gathering behind calm clouds.
She stood by the sink, fiddling with the popcorn b
