The weight of the conversation hung heavy in the air, making the confines of the house feel stifling. I knew I couldn't risk speaking openly here, not with my parents within earshot. Similarly, stepping outside would invite the prying eyes of nosy neighbors, their curiosity piqued by recent events. The forest beckoned, its sheltering embrace offering the only sanctuary where I could address this matter, particularly with Ezra in tow.
With a determined stride, I led the way into the woods, their footsteps echoing behind me. Each step was a deliberate choice, a march towards the only place I felt secure enough to broach such a sensitive subject. The rustling leaves and the distant calls of birds seemed to cocoon us, providing a natural barrier from the outside world. Here, beneath the tower
