Tainted Triumph

The car ride home felt longer than usual despite the afternoon traffic moving smoothly. Sylvie sat in the back with Maya, watching her daughter stare out the window with red-rimmed eyes. Evander drove in silence, his jaw set in a way that told Sylvie his mind was already working through plans and contingencies.

When they pulled into the driveway, Willa burst through the front door before the car e