Lily's point of view

I had just finished arranging the supper table when there was a knock on the door. On the floor, Aiden was whistling a song he had made up while lining up his toy vehicles in a perfect queue. I looked at the time. Too late for a delivery, and also for a neighbour.

As I approached the door, I brushed a palm over Aiden's head and said, "Stay here, sweetheart."

When I carefully unlocked it, Marcus was standing there, his towering body casting a shadow over the entryway. A glimpse of something unreadable flashed across his face as his green eyes met mine.

With a tight...