Ambrose’s chest tightened, discomfort swirling inside him, but the words to bridge that gap refused to come.
Scarlett watched them closely for a moment, then, ever the opportunist, retrieved a camera from the bedroom.
“Why don’t we take a family photo now? Tomorrow will be so chaotic that the pictures might not come out right.”
Ambrose agreed without a second thought, drawing Hazel into the center, her presence a stark contrast to the storm brewing in his chest.
Just as the shutter clicked, Scarlett darted forward, stepping between them.
In the instant that Hazel lost her balance and tumbled to the floor, Ambrose’s heart lurched in panic.
“Hazel!” He cried, reaching out instinctively to catch her.
But Scarlett, ever the actress, burst into tears at that very moment.
Ambrose froze, just for a heartbeat. Three seconds of indecision. Then, with a swift motion, he turned to Scarlett.
He abandoned Hazel to crash against the sharp edge of the shelf, his hands gently pulling Scarlett into his arms, wiping away her feigned tears with a tenderness that sent a chill through Hazel’s veins.
“Don’t cry. Your sister has always been understanding. She won’t blame you,” Ambrose reassured Scarlett.
The others quickly gathered around Scarlett, their voices a chorus of comforting words as they pointed to the photos in the camera, attempting to lighten her mood with half-hearted praise.
Meanwhile, Hazel struggled to push herself off the floor, her head throbbing with pain. A warm trickle slid down her face, and when she wiped it with a tissue, the smear of crimson on her fingers left her momentarily stunned. She couldn’t tell if it was tears or blood.
But no one noticed. Their attention remained fixed on Scarlett as if she were the only one who mattered. Their laughter and soft reassurances filled the room, drowning out the silent cry of Hazel’s pain.
It wasn’t until the bleeding on Hazel’s forehead had stopped that Ambrose finally approached her, the camera dangling loosely in his hands.
“The photo didn’t catch your face clearly, and Scarlett’s pose could’ve been better,” he said casually. Then, as if noticing her for the first time, his brows furrowed. “Wait… Hazel, what happened to your face?”