He chose me completely. And in doing so, chained me to this place more securely than any lie ever could.
The morning after Leo discovered them in bed together, everything changed.
Not with Kairos. Not with their careful dance of wanting and fear and tentative commitment.
With Leo.
The child who'd been silent for three years, who'd spoken only a handful of words since her return, suddenly couldn't stop talking. And every other word was Mama.
"Mama, look!" He held up a drawing—scribbled dinosaurs in crayon, barely recognizable but precious. "I made it for you!"
Elara's throat tightened. "It's beautiful, sweetheart."
"You can put it in your room! In Daddy's room! Because that's where you sleep now, right?" His eyes were bright with hope. So much hope it hurt to witness.
"Leo—"
"Mama, play blocks with me!" He was already pulling her toward his toy corner, small hand wrapped around her finger with desperate certainty.
