Eira's face fell the moment she caught that flicker of hesitation on Adelyn's face.
Her eyes brimmed instantly, turning glassy with unshed tears —but she held them back stubbornly, refusing to let them fall.
Tears made her look ugly —her Mama had told her that.
And she … wanted to always look pretty in her mother's eyes.
"You don't want to come back home with Eira?" she asked softly, her voice trembling despite her effort to stay composed. "Did Eira … upset you?"
Adelyn's heart clenched.
She stared at the little girl, momentarily at a loss for words.
Afraid that the child might misunderstand her silence, she quickly crouched down to match her height, her movements gentle, almost careful —as though even the slightest misstep might break her further.
"Sweetheart … no," Adelyn said softly, her voice warm and reassuring. "You didn't upset me at all. You're such a good baby. How could you upset me?"
