Waiting.
Watching.
"Change and come eat," she said quietly.
"…Mm," Fiona responded.
She changed.
She sat.
She ate.
The room felt too quiet.
Too controlled.
Too careful.
Then Eva's voice broke the silence again.
"I'm sorry for hitting you yesterday," she said, slower this time. "I don't have any justification… I just… want you to know I'm sorry, okay?"
Her hand lifted gently, brushing Fiona's hair in a hesitant, almost unfamiliar softness.
Fiona froze mid-bite.
Her eyes slowly lifted.
Confused.
Guarded.
As if she didn't know how to receive kindness that arrived after pain.
The door opened.
Fallyn stepped in first.
Brett followed behind her.
His gaze landed immediately on them on Eva's hand still resting on Fiona's hair… on Fiona's silent, unreadable expression.
"Honey," Brett said softly, forcing a small smile. "You already made her meal. Here take your medicine after you eat."
Fiona blinked once.
Then nodded faintly.
"…Okay, Dad."
