AUTHORS POV

Tessa hadn’t planned to stay.

But after Dean clung to her hand, whispering “Please don’t go, Mummy,” and Pedro stood quietly behind him, saying nothing—just watching her with weary, guilt-ridden eyes—she found herself saying: “I’ll stay. Just for tonight.”

Pedro didn’t smile. He only nodded once, as if afraid anything more would shatter the fragile truce.

Upstairs, she helped Dean change into his pyjamas, the small Spiderman set she’d packed for him tucked into the overnight bag Clarissa had delivered earlier.

“Mummy, are you really staying?” he asked as she brushed his hair back.

“Yes,” she said softly. “I’ll sleep right next to you.”

He grinned, gap-toothed and...