Andrea
As I walked up the Harpers’ porch the next day, my chest was tight. Rachel greeted me in leggings and an oversized sweater. She looked exhausted.
“Thank you for coming tonight,” she said. “It’s been a long day.”
“Of course.” I tried to keep my voice steady. “Happy to help.”
“Mia and Charlie are in the playroom. They’ve had dinner, so it’s just bath and bedtime. Jacob should be home by nine.”
“Sure.”
She gave me that soft, trusting smile. “You’re a lifesaver.”
She disappeared upstairs and I stood there a second, feeling like a liar.
Mia and Charlie were sweet and easy. We read books, played with toys, then brushed their teeth. By eight-thirty, I'd tucked them into bed.
I tiptoed back downstairs, the house now quiet. I sat at the kitchen, scrolling on my phone, but my eyes ke
