The hallway outside the nursery was dimly lit by a single wall sconce. The moonlight pouring in through the high windows cast long, silver shadows on the floor.
Sky sat there, knees pulled to his chest, staring ahead blankly. His fingers fidgeted with the cuff of his pyjama sleeve. Inside the nursery, Ariana slept, unaware that her big brother was being quietly ripped away by a voice that didn’t belong in this home.
But Ariel had heard enough.
And she was done playing nice.
She stepped out of the shadows of the stairwell and into the hallway, barefoot and calm—but there was a storm behind her eyes.
“Sky,” she said softly.
The boy turned sharply, startled. His eyes darted around, as if to check whether she’d heard him.
She had.
Every single word.
“Mom…” he muttered, blinking rapidl
