The kitchen at the Bakers' house glowed with soft morning light. It streamed through the small window over the sink, catching the steam curling off the fresh pot of coffee. The scent of cinnamon toast mingled with the sharper aroma of roasted beans and faint lemon soap. A clock ticked above the door, slightly too loud in the otherwise gentle quiet.
Violet stood barefoot at the counter, pouring coffee into two mismatched mugs—one floral, one with a faded "World's Greatest Cook" decal. She slid one toward James, who sat at the breakfast table with his tablet, scrolling through an early email thread from his department chair. His reading glasses sat low on his nose, and his fingers occasionally tapped highlights or made notes on the screen.
"She slept well," Violet said quietly, breaking the stillness.
James looked up. "You checked?"
"She got up once around midnight for water, but went back to bed without any prompting. That's new."
James nodded, setting the tablet aside. "She's been… lighter lately. Her energy. Even when she's quiet."
Violet hesitated before sitting. "I've been thinking we should offer to get her a phone. And maybe a small laptop. Something basic. She's old enough, and it would help with school research, writing assignments, and communication."
James exhaled slowly. "Yeah. I've thought about it too."
He set his coffee down, staring into the dark surface.
"But," he said gently, "what if it scares her?"
Violet met his eyes, her voice soft. "It might."
They both knew what hung unspoken between them: the spyware phone Audrey's mother had given her before everything imploded. The one she'd later described to the CPS as the object that "smiled in my hand and watched through my skin."
"She might think it's a trap," James murmured. "Even if it isn't."
Violet nodded slowly. "We'll let her lead."
Before either could say more, footsteps padded softly down the stairs.
Audrey appeared in the doorway, hair still slightly damp from her morning shower, a dark green hoodie bunched around her shoulders. Her eyes were alert, but still carried the softness of sleep.
"Good morning," Violet greeted with a smile.
"Hey," Audrey said, sliding into her seat. She didn't speak again immediately, just reached for the toast on her plate and began buttering it with deliberate movements.
Violet waited until Audrey had taken a few bites before speaking again. "James and I were talking earlier," she began gently. "You've been doing really well—at home, at school. We're proud of you."
Audrey's eyebrows rose slightly, suspicious. "Okay…"
Violet smiled. "We were thinking about maybe getting you a phone. And possibly a laptop. If that's something you might want."
The knife paused mid-spread. Audrey looked up. "A phone?"
James jumped in, his voice calm. "You don't have to decide right now. Or even this week. Just something we thought might help—with school, friends, even us. You're getting busier. You deserve a little freedom."
Audrey didn't say anything for a few seconds. Then she gave a small, hesitant nod and returned to her breakfast.
James glanced at the clock and pushed his chair back. "I've got a faculty meeting first thing. Back by six."
He bent and kissed Audrey's hair. "Think about it, okay?"
Audrey nodded again, almost imperceptibly.
Violet rose as well, picking up her keys. "Ready to go?"
They moved toward the car in a comfortable rhythm. Outside, the sun was beginning to rise over the Baker neighborhood, washing the treetops in pale gold. The air was crisp. As they pulled away from the curb, Violet kept her eyes on the road, but her voice was soft.
"No pressure, sweetheart. But we really do want you to feel connected. And safe."
Audrey said nothing, but she turned slightly, watching the morning unfold through the window.
At Haven Ridge, Mia was halfway through breakfast when she noticed Ms. Collins approaching. The dining room was a low hum of cereal crunches, clinking spoons, and mild conversation.
Ms. Collins gave her a nod and gestured toward the hallway.
Mia followed her without comment, heart thudding slightly.
They walked down the corridor, the staff office door closing quietly behind them.
"I wanted to let you know," Ms. Collins began, sitting opposite her with a warm but measured tone, "your supervised visit with Mr. and Mrs. Jones has been scheduled for this afternoon. Right after school."
Mia's eyes widened. "Really?"
Ms. Collins nodded. "Yes. At the county office, same space we use for all supervised sessions. You'll be picked up by our staff and accompanied the entire time."
Relief bloomed in Mia's chest—but so did something else. A tug of hesitation.
"They said they wanted to see me?" she asked, eyes searching.
Ms. Collins didn't answer directly. "It's part of the court's plan for reunification. A way to observe how the dynamic plays out in a controlled space."
Mia nodded slowly. "Okay."
"We'll be right there the whole time," Ms. Collins added. "You're not alone in this."
For once, Mia didn't push back. She just sat quietly, absorbing the news.
Back at Millbrook, Audrey had just begun to settle into Science class when the intercom crackled overhead.
"Audrey Jones, please report to the front office."
A few kids turned to look at her. She blinked, surprised, then grabbed her bag and slid out of her seat.
When she reached the front office, the secretary smiled gently. "Your social worker's here."
Her stomach dropped slightly, but then she saw Ms. Tran through the glass panel of the counselor's room. Audrey exhaled.
Inside, the room smelled faintly of pine-scented air freshener and dry-erase markers. Ms. Tran closed the door behind them and gestured to the two cushioned chairs in the corner.
"Don't worry," she said gently. "This is just a check-in. Nothing bad."
Audrey sank into the seat, crossing her ankles.
"You've been doing really well," Ms. Tran continued. "Your teachers are happy with your participation. That's huge."
Audrey shrugged. "It's easier now."
"How so?"
"I don't feel like I'm always… waiting for something bad to happen," she said, then caught herself and looked down. "I mean, not all the time."
Ms. Tran smiled softly. "That makes sense."
There was a pause before Audrey added, "Violet and James want to get me a phone. And maybe a laptop."
Ms. Tran's expression shifted, perceptive.
"But you're scared it could have spyware. Like the one your mother gave you."
Audrey nodded slowly.
"She said it was to help me stay safe," Audrey whispered. "But it was just to watch me. And control everything."
Ms. Tran leaned forward slightly. "That phone isn't this phone. These people aren't your parents. Violet and James respect your space and your consent."
Audrey swallowed.
"It could really help, you know. Not just for school, but for talking to me. Your friends. Emergencies."
She smiled again, warmer this time. "And we can make sure it's clean. Nothing installed that shouldn't be. We'll even block your parents' numbers, if that's what you want."
Audrey felt something loosen in her chest. A knot that had been there for years.
"I think I want to try."
Ms. Tran nodded approvingly. "That's all we need. Just a start."
That afternoon, Audrey was surprised to see not just Violet but also James waiting at the car. He waved as she approached, holding the car door open.
"Everything okay?" Violet asked as she slid into the back seat.
"Yeah," Audrey said quickly. Then, "Ms. Tran came to school."
Violet looked back in the mirror. "Is everything alright?"
Audrey nodded. "She was checking in. She said I'm doing well."
James smiled from the driver's seat. "You are."
There was a pause before Audrey added, "And I told her about the phone. And I think… I want to get one."
Violet turned fully in her seat, surprised and clearly pleased. "Are you sure?"
"I don't want it to be like before," Audrey said. "But… I trust you."
James glanced at Violet, then said, "Then let's do it right."
The phone store was bright and oddly quiet for a weekday. The sales rep gave them a polite nod as they entered. Audrey hesitated near the front display—sleek devices lined up like candy bars, each promising connectivity and control.
Violet leaned over. "It's your call. You pick."
Audrey walked slowly past the displays, then pointed. "That one. Not too big. Not too flashy."
An iPhone 13, modest and manageable.
They picked a soft lavender case, a tempered-glass screen protector, and a set of wireless headphones. The employee offered to help them set up safety features. Audrey gave him her birth parents' numbers to block, numbers she still remembered by heart.
The employee didn't ask questions. Just nodded and set the blocks quietly.
Audrey stayed by his side through the whole process, watching every screen, every app installed. This time, she would know what was on it.
In the car ride home, Audrey scrolled through the blank home screen, now customized with her favorite shade of teal as a background.
"It's weird," she said softly.
James glanced at her in the rearview mirror. "Weird good or weird bad?"
She looked up.
"Weird safe."
And both he and Violet smiled.
Because they knew exactly what that meant.