The morning sun spilled through the villa's wide windows, casting golden rectangles across the cool terracotta floors. Evelyn stood on the terrace, Noah cradled against her shoulder, watching the waves roll in below. Lena appeared beside her, a cup of coffee in hand. "You're up early."

"Couldn't sleep." Evelyn shifted Noah to her other arm. "He was hungry, and then I couldn't stop watching the sunrise."

Lena took a sip of her coffee, looking toward the horizon. "It's beautiful here." Evelyn smiled. "Come on. Let's take him to the beach."

—

The beach was a short walk from the villa, a crescent of golden sand tucked between rocky cliffs. The...