The Weight of Secrets

Kallie Siobhan Faye's POV

"Hey," I murmured.

The hallway felt devoid of oxygen. Briar just stared at me. Her eyes brimmed with a chaotic mix of fury and profound relief. She didn't say a word. She didn't blink. The silence stretched between us, pulling tight enough to snap.

"Mommy, Aunty is talking to you," Rowan piped up, tugging on the hem of her flowing skirt.

Briar blinked, breaking her tr