“No.” He cut in gently but firmly. “You did the right thing.” He hesitated for a second before adding, “Listen… if anything feels off today, anything at all, you call me. Immediately. Okay?” Kayla swallowed hard and nodded. “Okay.” “And one more thing,” he added, lowering his voice. “Try to stay downstairs with Tommy today. Just—keep the upstairs door closed for now.”
A cold ripple ran through her. He didn’t explain why. He didn’t have to. Kayla spent the first few hours forcing herself to stay calm for Tommy’s sake, playing games with him on the rug, reading stories, showing him how to build taller block towers. But her ears stayed tuned to every creak, every shift in the house.