Adelyn didn't know what made that possibility surface in her mind, but nothing else seemed to make sense.
Why else would her clothes end up with this little girl?
Hadn't he said he had sent them to the laundry and would have them returned to her later?
Her gaze narrowed slightly as she looked at the girl, waiting for an answer.
The answer was simple, and Eira didn't need to think much before giving it.
However, she paused when she saw the changing expression in her mama's face.
She might not understand the reasons behind it, but she could feel it —
the conflict,
the suspicion.
and beneath it all … a faint trace of fear.
Eira took a small step closer.
Then, slowly, she lifted her hand and gently cupped Adelyn's cheek. Her tiny fingers brushed softly against her skin, as if trying to soothe something she couldn't fully understand.
Adelyn stiffened at the sudden touch, caught off guard.
