The rest of the drive to Disneyland passed easily, almost effortlessly, as if the world had decided to give them a small pocket of peace.
The traffic thinned the farther they went, and the air inside the car felt lighter. Music played softly in the background, something cheerful and familiar, and Isabella—who had been quiet earlier—slowly came back to life. She leaned forward in her seat now, eyes bright, pressing her nose close to the window every time she spotted something colorful or exciting along the road.
Her smile grew wider with every mile.
Marian watched her through the rearview mirror, her heart softening at the sight. Isabella’s excitement wasn’t loud or wild—it was gentle, blooming little by little, like she was allowing herself to believe this trip was really happening.
“H
