POV: Elena
3:00 PM — The Guest Room Feels Like a Timeout Chair
I came in here to "rest." That's what I told Milo.
But let's be honest — I'm hiding.
From James, from Aaron, from my own guilt.
There's a box fan humming in the window, blowing hot air in circles like it's trying to punish me gently.
I look at myself in the mirror.
No makeup.
Hair in a lazy bun.
Eyes dull.
This woman looks like she lost something important.
No — like she stole something important and is still waiting for karma to knock on the door.
3:15 PM — I Pick Up the Old Photo
It's tucked into a book on the dresser.
From our first Christmas together — the blended family phase when everyone still tried too hard.
James is wearing that stupid sweater with the reindeer that Milo always made fun of.
Aaron's laughing at something Milo said.
I'm in the middle, hand on James's chest, smiling at the camera like I was in a commercial for a life I didn't fully belong to.
Was I ever really part of this family?
