Chapter 5 - Cracks in the Silence|
The nursery was vast, filled with expensive toys, custom bookshelves, and a grand rocking horse, yet it felt strangely abandoned. None of the toys looked played with. The room smelled of lavender polish and sterile air.
At eight o'clock the next morning, Evelyn walked into the nursery carrying a tray of warm toast, sliced fruit, and milk.
The triplets were sitting together on a thick Persian rug, staring silently at a closed window. They didn't turn around when the door opened.
Evelyn set the tray down on a low wooden table. She didn't force them to come over. Instead, she sat down on the floor a few feet away, pulled a piece of toast from the plate, and took a loud, deliberate bite.
"This bread is much better than the rolls at the restaurant," Evelyn remarked casually to the empty air. "Though I think the jam needs more sugar."
Leo, the oldest boy by four minutes, shifted slightly. His dark eyes flicked toward her.
Evelyn didn't press. She pulled a notepad and a blue crayon from her apron pocket and began doodling a silly, lopsided cat on the paper.
Minutes passed in complete silence.
Then, a small shadow fell over her paper. Noah, the second twin, had quietly crept over. He stood above her, looking down at the terrible drawing of the cat.
Evelyn offered him the crayon. "He's missing a tail. Can you fix it for me?"
Noah stared at the crayon for a long moment. His small hand trembled as he reached out, took the blue wax, and carefully drew a long, curly tail at the back of the cat.
Beside him, Mia and Leo walked over, sitting down quietly on the rug next to Evelyn.
Evelyn smiled gently, her heart warming. The silence wasn't cold anymore; it was fragile, like thin ice waiting for the sun.
May you like
"Good job, Noah," Evelyn whispered softly.
Noah looked up at her, his eyes wide and ancient, and offered the faintest, almost invisible nod.
