“She’s said a lot of things when she’s upset.”
“Like what?”
“Nothing important.”
Daniel waited.
Lauren looked toward the guests.
“Can we not discuss your mother’s moods at our engagement party?”
He felt embarrassed.
“Sorry.”
She softened instantly.
“Don’t apologize.”
Her fingers brushed his collar.
“You’re just protective.”
Daniel glanced toward Evelyn again.
“So are you.”
“Exactly.”
Lauren smiled.
“That’s why we work.”
He wanted to believe her.
For months, he’d believed almost everything she said.
After Evelyn’s surgery, Daniel’s schedule had become overwhelming.
His construction company was finishing three renovation contracts.
Grace had started third grade.
There were physical therapy appointments, prescriptions, grocery deliveries, and insurance paperwork.
Daniel tried to manage everything himself.
He missed two calls from Evelyn during one particularly difficult week.
Lauren had answered the third.
She drove across town, checked the medication schedule, and stayed until Evelyn fell asleep.
When Daniel arrived later, Lauren was folding towels in the laundry room.
He remembered how grateful he’d felt.
He remembered wrapping his arms around her.
“You saved me tonight.”
She laughed.
“That’s what families do.”
He had repeated those words often.
He had even used them when his sister Melissa questioned Lauren’s involvement.
Now the memory felt different.
Not because he believed Lauren had done anything wrong.
Because he realized how little he knew about the hours she spent alone with Evelyn.
Daniel took Lauren’s hand.
“Do me a favor.”
“Anything.”
“Give Mom a little space tonight.”
Lauren blinked.
“Space?”
“Let her decide when she wants help.”
A shadow crossed her face.
“Is that what she told you?”
“No.”
“Then where is this coming from?”
“Me.”
Lauren looked hurt.
“I don’t understand.”
Daniel rubbed his forehead.
“I’m not accusing you of anything.”
“Good.”
“I’m just saying she’s still a grown woman.”
Lauren pulled her hand away.
“Of course she is.”
Her voice had become quiet.
Daniel knew that tone.
It meant the conversation had ended.
He wanted to reach for her again.
Before he could, a small hand tugged his jacket.
“Daddy?”
Grace stood beside him.
Daniel looked down.
“What’s up?”
“Grandma wants cold water.”
Lauren answered before he could.
“I already gave her some.”
Grace shook her head.
“She wants Daddy to get it.”
Lauren’s smile stiffened.
“Well, Daddy’s busy.”
Daniel crouched.
“I can get water.”
Grace glanced at Lauren.
Her fingers tightened around something behind her back.
Daniel noticed.
“What’s that you’re holding?”
“Nothing.”
“Looks like paper.”
Grace pressed her lips together.
Lauren leaned closer.
“Are you making another picture?”
Grace shook her head.
Daniel smiled.
“Secret project?”
The girl nodded reluctantly.
“Okay.”
He stood.
“I’ll get the water.”
Lauren touched his sleeve.
“Daniel, we need to greet the guests from your office.”
“They can wait.”
He walked toward the outdoor cooler.
Grace followed closely.
As soon as Lauren turned away, his daughter pulled his sleeve again.
“Daddy?”
“Yeah?”
“Can Grandma come live with us?”
Daniel paused.
The question surprised him.
“She has her own house, sweetheart.”
“I know.”
“Why do you ask?”
Grace stared at her shoes.
“She doesn’t like being alone.”
Daniel crouched.
“Did she tell you that?”
Grace hesitated.
“Not exactly.”
“What did she say?”
His daughter looked over her shoulder.
Lauren was speaking with Mrs. Patterson near the patio.
Grace lowered her voice.
“Grandma gets scared.”
Daniel felt a chill.
“Scared of what?”
The girl’s eyes filled.
“I don’t know.”
He studied her.
“Grace, you can tell me.”
She shook her head.
“I promised Grandma.”
Daniel’s chest tightened.
“Promised her what?”
Grace looked increasingly distressed.
He stopped questioning her.
“Okay. You don’t have to tell me right now.”
She nodded.
He touched her cheek.
“But if something scares you, I need to know.”
“I know.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
Daniel filled a glass with ice water.
Grace accepted it carefully.
She started toward Evelyn’s table, then stopped.
“Daddy?”
“Yeah?”
“Will you listen when Grandma talks?”
Daniel stared at her.
“Of course.”
“Even if you’re mad?”
He felt his stomach tighten.
“Why would I be mad?”
Grace didn’t answer.
She hurried away.
Daniel remained beside the cooler, watching his daughter carry the glass.
Something was wrong.
Not an ordinary family disagreement.
Not irritation over wedding plans.
Something deeper had entered his house.
And somehow, his daughter knew more about it than he did.
He started toward the table.
Before he reached it, his younger sister arrived through the side gate.
Melissa Brooks wore a dark green sweater and carried a small paper bag.
She looked tired.
Daniel raised a hand.
“Hey, stranger.”
Melissa stopped when she saw him.
“Daniel.”
He opened his arms.
She hugged him briefly.
“You made it.”
“Barely.”
“Long day?”
She nodded.
“How’s Mom?”
Daniel pointed toward the table.
“She’s sitting with Grace.”
Melissa looked across the yard.
Her expression changed immediately.
Daniel noticed.
“What?”
She stared at Evelyn’s face.
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