Daniel wanted to speak, but his throat felt entirely blocked by a sudden knot of overwhelming guilt. Emily did not look angry, nor did she look surprised to see him standing there after all these years.
Instead, a devastatingly gentle smile crossed her pale lips as she stood up slowly, clutching a worn-out blanket around her trembling shoulders. 🍂
Before Daniel could utter a single rehearsed apology, Emily stepped aside to reveal a small figure hiding quietly in the dark shadows behind her chair.
Daniel’s knees buckled as he looked down at the wide, frightened eyes of a young boy who had his exact eyes, realizing in sheer horror that his past had not stayed buried at all.
