“It makes sense that you’d be on high alert,” the woman said gently. “You’re carrying everything alone right now. When we feel unsafe, our brains try to predict danger, even where there isn’t any. It doesn’t mean the sounds aren’t real—it just means your reaction to them is magnified.”
Lucy nodded, surprised by the relief that rose in her chest. Framed that way, the nights seemed less like an impending collapse and more like a puzzle of stress and circumstance. They agreed on small steps: better sleep routines, limiting late‑night listening, grounding herself when the house shifted and sighed.