JASMINE
Jaden had already fallen asleep on the mat, his small chest rising and falling peacefully for a few minutes.
Elena had quietly carried him inside, leaving Stephan and me alone under the soft glow of the string lights.
We both sat there, sipping cold juice, staring up at the bright moon hanging in the dark sky.
The night air felt cool against my skin, but the silence between us stretched long and awkward.
"Hmmm… we should probably go to sleep," I finally said, breaking the quiet.
I had waited for him to ask more questions about the game or about us, but nothing came. Maybe it was better this way.
"Thanks for tonight," he finally said softly, his voice low and sincere.
I whipped my head toward him, surprised. "Wow… really?"
He nodded and took another sip of his juice. "Yeah… I had been packed away with my own love for so long that I forgot I have a ten-year-old child who needs me."
