Elena's pov

Samantha poured orange juice without being asked. Lucas dropped a second piece of toast on my plate even though I hadn’t said I wanted it.

“Eat,” he said. “Or I’ll tell Dad you haven’t had real food in two days.”

“Traitor.”

“Protective older brother. There’s a difference.”

Dad brought the eggs over. They were a little brown at the edges. He set the pan down and looked at me until I took a bite.

The eggs were fine.

Overcooked.

Exactly the way he made them when he was worried and trying not to show it.

We ate.

Conversation stayed light on purpose,Lucas complaining about a client, Samantha describing...