GENESIS

As we walked into the house, he still didn’t say a word to me. The silence gnawed at me, keeping me on edge. I didn’t know what to expect—was this the moment he would finally lash out?

Just then, Daisy leapt off the couch the moment she saw us.

“Lily!” she shouted with pure excitement.

I smiled, barely in time before she flung herself at me. I staggered back from the impact, but large hands caught my shoulders, steadying me before I could fall.

“Daisy, you need to be careful,” Kieran said, his voice firm. Then his hands dropped away—and with them, his warmth.

Daisy’s lips wobbled. “I’m sorry.”...