Page 33

“You work too hard.”

Our eyes hold for a moment. Her cherry lips part.

Eric bounds into the kitchen then, a dinosaur backpack dragging behind him. “Mom! I can't find my T-Rex socks!”

“Check under your bed, honey. That's where all missing things go to hide.” She ruffles his hair as he zooms past.

I watch her with her son, the softness in her eyes. The gentleness. It's a stark contrast to the businesswoman the world sees. Few people get to witness this side of her.

We prepare breakfast in silence.

Eric asks as he appears again in the doorway. “But can I bring Rex to school today?”

“Honey, we talked about this. Special toys stay home where they're safe.”

“But Uncle Sean says Rex is tough.”

She sighs. Her eyes meet mine for a moment before sliding away. I smile to myself.

“Uncle Sean! Look what I found yesterday!” Eric holds up a rock shaped like a heart. “It's for my collection.”

I crouch down to his level. “That's a good one. Where'd you find it?”

“In the yard. Near the tree.” He lowers his voice to a whisper. “I think it's magic.”

“Yeah? What kind of magic?”

“The kind that makes people happy.” He glances at his mother, then back to me. “Mom needs happy magic right now.”

My chest tightens. Kids see everything.

I ruffle his hair. “That’s very thoughtful of you, Eric.”

“Breakfast is ready,” Wren announces, setting plates of scrambled eggs and toast on the table. Her movements are precise and efficient. The distance between us feels wider than the kitchen.

Eric climbs into his chair, reaching for the ketchup. Wren doesn't even try to stop him anymore. Some battles aren't worth fighting.

I watch her when she's not looking. The shadows under her eyes. The tension in her shoulders. The way she checks her phone every thirty seconds.

She's built her entire life around being her son's rock. Her schedule revolves around his needs—bedtime stories, school drop-offs, weekend pancakes. But who's her rock?

That night, for just a moment, I thought maybe...

My phone rings. Jen’s face flashes on the screen.

I answer.

Jen’s voice barrels out.

“Have you seen it yet?”

I frown.

“Seen what.”

“BuzzTab news this morning?”

“You know I don't read that trash.”