Amelie had been restless all evening. Time and again, she picked up her phone, her thumb hovering over her mother's number, but she never pressed call. Despite the growing ache in her chest, she couldn't bring herself to reach out.
Just then, the door creaked softly, and Gabriel stepped onto the balcony of her room.
"Amelie, why aren't you asleep yet?" he asked, concern etched into his voice.
She turned to face him, her arms wrapped around herself as if to hold her nerves together. "I've tried… but every time I lie down, the anxiety worsens," she admitted. "I keep thinking about my mother. I don't know why, but I have this awful feeling something's wrong. What if Alex tries to hurt her or Dad? I know I shouldn't care… after everything, I shouldn't. But I can't shake this feeling."
Gabriel stepped closer. "Your sister was arrested today," he said softly. "It's not surprising that your parents are under tremendous stress. Maybe that's why you're sensing something… off."
