Meryl's POV
The car ride to Andre's place stretched in silence. Gavin had dozed off in the back seat, his small frame curled around his backpack like a security blanket. Andre kept his attention on the road ahead, occasionally letting his free hand drift toward mine on the console. Yet I couldn't focus on his gentle touches. My mind remained trapped in the morning's events, replaying Dad's refusal to face me, his inability to even acknowledge my goodbye. The thoughts circled endlessly, refusing to grant me peace.
Andre eased into his driveway with careful precision. The engine went quiet, and he shifted to face me.
"Would you prefer to lie down for a while? Or shall I give you that proper walkthrough now?"
I watched Gavin's sleeping form, his lips parted slightly as his head rested against the cool glass.
Something tight coiled around my chest, making it hard to breathe properly.
"Show me around," I whispered. "Sleep won't come anyway."
