Chapter 42

Olivia’s POV The decisive click of the front door latch echoed through the apartment as Jessie departed for her shift at the hospital, leaving me enveloped in a profound stillness. The children, my precious Sophie and her spirited brother Cal Jr., had already been whisked away to school by Cal, their father, in the immediate aftermath of Jessie’s early departure. The late morning light filtered softly through the sheer curtains, casting gentle shadows across the familiar spaces, and for a fleeting moment, the apartment felt as though it were holding its breath, suspended in a quiet anticipation.