Sienna

My heart was hammering. Jaxon’s mom stood in the doorway, looking at me with that soft, motherly concern — the kind that could see through anything if I made one wrong move.

“Hey, sweetheart,” she said gently. “You’re still awake?”

“Yeah,” I blurted out too quickly. My mind raced for an excuse. “I was just, uh… trying to pick something to wear for tomorrow. Can’t sleep.”

I raised my voice slightly — not enough to sound odd, but loud enough that Jaxon, wherever he was, would hear. “Oh! Did you and Dad finalize your trip? You’re still leaving early, right?”

Her expression eased. “Yes, around five in the morning....