LILITH

“Miss, you're back.”

I ran into Uncle Theo the moment I stepped into the living room.

“Yes, good afternoon,” I greeted with a smile.

His face lit up with a wrinkled grin. “I got your gifts from Tessa yesterday. They were thoughtful. Thank you.”

I waved a hand dismissively. “It’s nothing, really. Just a small token for all the care you’ve shown me over the years.”

“You really are grown up now,” he said, his smile deepening.

“Of course,” I winked playfully. “I’m twenty-two already. I’ve been an adult for a while now.”

He nodded, a little wistfully. “Yes, you’re right. How time flies.”

“I still remember when you...