The quiet in the children's rooms was thick and deep. Lu Yuze stood over Yuyan's bed, his movements methodical as he smoothed the blanket to her shoulders. His fingers pressed to the delicate pulse point in her neck, steady, reassuringly normal. Yet he didn't move. He lingered, watching the peaceful rise and fall of her chest, as if anchoring himself in the proof of her well-being.
Across the room, Shuyin finished tucking in the little boy. The child was already asleep, his hand curled into a tiny fist against the pillow. "Really so heavy," she muttered softly to herself, a faint smile touching her lips as she straightened the ache from her back.
She moved toward the door, the plush carpet silencing her steps. In the doorway, as she turned to leave, his hand shot out and caught hers.
His grip was too tight, a band of heat and unyielding pressure.
"What's wrong?" She tried to pull away, but his fingers were locked.
