“Caleb,” Fernando said slowly, measuring each word. “You understand that’s a serious thing to say.”
Caleb nodded fast, almost frantic. “I know. That’s why I’m saying it.”
The landscaper shouted again, irritated. “Caleb! Stop bothering the man!”
Caleb’s shoulders hunched, but he didn’t back down.
“Please,” he said to Fernando, voice cracking. “Just look at her. Like… really look.”
Fernando stared at him a moment longer than either of them expected.
Then, without replying, he turned and walked through the gates.
He told himself it was ridiculous.
He told himself it was grief poisoning his judgment.
He told himself a kid didn’t understand medical realities.
But as he crossed the driveway, one thought kept tapping at the inside of his skull like a nail trying to get out.
What if I’ve been looking at my own child for months… and not seeing her at all?
Inside, Harrington Manor was quiet in the way only rich houses were quiet, muffled by money and thick carpet and staff trained to move like ghosts.
The marble floor in the foyer shone beneath the chandelier, each crystal strand catching the light and throwing it back in trembling fragments. Fernando had always thought the chandelier looked like frozen fireworks.
Tonight, it looked like an eye.
Watching.
Judging.
Fernando stepped into the main sitting room and found Elena where she always was at this hour, her wheelchair angled slightly toward the tall windows. Outside, the trees blazed orange and red like a world on fire. Inside, Elena sat in stillness.
Her hands were clenched tight in her lap, knuckles pale.
Her face was beautiful in that quiet, sad way that made people speak in softer tones around her, as if she might break.
Her eyes were fixed on the garden, but they weren’t really seeing it.
It looked like she was waiting.
Waiting for permission to breathe.
Beside her stood Viven Clark, elegant as ever, hair smooth, posture perfect, wearing a cream cardigan like she’d been poured into calm.
She turned when Fernando entered, smile already assembled.
“Fernando,” she said warmly. “You’re home early. Is everything alright?”
Her tone was concern with a bow on it. Her eyes flicked quickly to Elena, then back to Fernando, like she was checking if the world was still under control.
Fernando forced himself to return the smile. “Yeah. Just… wrapped up sooner.”