Hidden Layers

The kitchen smelled of simmering stew and freshly chopped vegetables.

Sunlight slipped in through the small window above the sink, casting warm patches on the tiled floor. Camilla stood beside the counter, her sleeves rolled up, quietly slicing tomatoes. Her movements were sharp but careful.

Her mother watched her from the stove.

“You’re cutting those tomatoes like they offended you,” her mom said