tle hissing in the kitchen and an

everything fel

d her sketchboo

p

to the kitchen-Julian stood frozen, holding a glass

but the way he clutched

it," she

move. "Did y

was my mother's. I just found it. It was

to ask me?" His voic

"I didn't want to beli

ing it on the counter like it might b

racking. "Julian, your name is in it. My mom said n

ghtening. The silence

said finally, voice low. "I didn't even

id, eyes brimming with tears. "Y

was scared. I signed things I shouldn't have, and then I stayed quiet. I

rt slammed

o scream. To

er mother's voice echoing in her mind...

wly, as if waiting for

r mother was until that day at the mural. And when I found out

spered-but the words felt l

hand, gently. She

just... surviving. Going through the motions. But

ks. "I don't know if I c

ed, stepping closer still. "But

e let herself fall into his arms. His embrace was quiet and

he whispered ag

her tighter. "But I'm not ru

wasn't soft

s des

f, longing, and the fragile hope that maybe, somehow, they cou