Bridging World's

9

Sage

We had just stepped through the door when everyone practically crushed me in a tight embrace.

I let out a small laugh, pulling away from Fredrick and Violet. “All right, all right, it’s only been a week,” I said, amused by their enthusiasm.

“A long, boring week without you!” Violet quipped, making me chuckle again.

“Okay, okay, stop crowding her, kiddos,” Mom interjected, taking my hand and leading me to the couch.

As we sat down, she gave me a soft look. “How’s your dad?”

I forced a small smile, feeling the guilt churn inside me. “He’s... he’s doing fine, Mom,” I lied, the weight of it sinking deeper. I’d never been good at lying, and now it seemed like I was doing nothing but deceiving the kindest people in my life. The guilt was suffocating.

She nodded, her warm, knowing smile making the guilt even worse. I couldn’t shake the feeling that she saw right through me.

“Oh, what happened to your head?” Fredrick asked, breaking the tension as he pointed at the small bandage.

I chuckled nervously. Here we go again. “Oh, this? I, uh, hit my head on the corner of the oven tray at the café. Just a little cut, no big deal.” I tried to sound casual, though the lie tasted bitter.

Mom’s eyes flickered with worry, but I gave her a reassuring smile. “I’m fine, really.”

“How come you and Killian came home together?” Violet asked, her curiosity brimming, and my stomach tightened. Not now, Violet. It felt like an interrogation, like I was on trial for some secret crime I hadn’t even committed. I glanced nervously at Killian, only to find his eyes fixed on me, making me even more anxious.

“He was at the café for work,” I said, trying to sound convincing, “and after that, we just came home together.”

Mom gave us a sweet smile, her eyes twinkling as if she were reading into something that wasn’t there.

“Right, work. Sure, Killian,” Violet teased with a mischievous grin. “Using work as an excuse to meet your wife?”

Killian rolled his eyes, walking over to her. “Believe it or not, Violet, I was actually there for work.”

“Oh, really?” she mocked, dancing out of his reach. “You’re just scared I’ve discovered your big secret—ow! Ow, ow! Let go!” she shrieked as he grabbed her ear and twisted.

“I’ll stop when you shut your mouth,” Killian retorted, dragging her off as she continued to yelp dramatically.

Everyone laughed at their antics, but I noticed Fredrick standing off to the side, watching them with a look of longing. He quickly followed behind them, trying to join in.

Mom turned to me with a warm smile. “Why don’t you go rest, sweetheart? Dinner will be ready in an hour.”

I shook my head, standing up. “No, Mom, I’ll cook dinner. I’m not tired.”

Before Mom could reply, Killian’s voice cut in. “No, you shouldn’t cook.”

We both turned toward him, and I shot him a look, signaling with my eyes to drop it. I knew he was worried about me, but I’d had enough rest this past week.

“I want to cook dinner for everyone,” I insisted, gritting my teeth slightly.

Killian shoved his hands into his pockets, his brows furrowing as those intense blue eyes bored into mine. Oh, he wasn’t backing down. I folded my arms across my chest, refusing to budge. We were locked in a silent battle of wills, so absorbed that we forgot Mom was watching us like a hawk, her eyes wide in amusement.