Elle’s POV
I stood quietly for a moment, unsure if I should interrupt her. She had her back to me, her shoulders hunched and shaking slightly as she stirred something in a big pot on the stove. Even though she tried to look busy, I could still feel her sadness like a heavy blanket over the room.
I slowly walked toward her, my bare feet making soft sounds against the tiled floor. The closer I got, the more I noticed her wiping her face with the back of her sleeve, trying to hide the fact that she’d been crying. My heart ached just watching her.
“Hey,” I said softly, not wanting to scare her. “Are you okay?”
She jumped slightly and turned around fast, her big brown eyes wide with surprise. Her face was blotchy, her cheeks red, and her lashes were still wet from tears. She sniffled and fo
