He knew how much she dreaded that place. It was the same for him. That place held memories he didn't want to remember either. His father's voice echoing off walls. The younger version of him crying, hidden behind closed doors. The weight of expectations pressing down until he couldn't breathe, couldn't think, and couldn't be anything other than what they needed him to be. And how everything fell apart ten years ago.
He had never lived there since then.
Vael cleared his throat. "She's still with her family."
Susan's smile didn't waver, but something in her eyes dimmed. She had noticed the hesitation. She had always noticed everything.
Mia's excitement dimmed too, replaced by a careful tone. "Why haven't you gone to bring her?"
