By the time Chloe got home, the world already felt like it had dimmed.
The drive back was quiet. She didn't even realize she hadn't turned on the radio until she parked in front of the house and heard only the hum of the engine. The exhaustion in her bones was heavy, but it wasn't the kind that came from work. It was the kind that came from trying not to fall apart in front of people.
As she stepped out, the cool evening breeze brushed her face, but it did nothing to calm the ache in her chest. The house lights were already on. Through the living room window, she saw Bella on the couch, reading something, probably a work document or one of those little devotionals she liked flipping through after dinner.
Timothy was no where in sight and that only told her he was either asleep or with Rachel.
