The atmosphere at the breakfast table was tense. Noah glared resentfully at Layla, who pointedly ignored him. The sight amused the adults watching them.
"Hey, what's going on here?" Evander asked.
"Maybe he's still mad that I could climb the tree yesterday and he couldn't," Layla said, holding her glass of milk.
"Sweetheart, don't be like that," Olivia chided gently.
"Why, Mom? I'm telling the truth," Layla replied.
Olivia managed a strained smile.
"You've been learning to climb trees, so why can't you do it yet? And now you're mad at me," Layla said, staring flatly at Noah.
"I'm not mad!" Noah retorted, his face flushing red.
"That's enough. You two are going to school together, so don't fight," Elena intervened, her smile fond.
"Yes, Ma'am," the two children answered.
Olivia fl
