Evelyn followed Oliver into his playroom on the second floor, her heart still pounding from Axel's teasing downstairs.
She pretended to focus on the rows of children's books lining the shelf, trying to distract herself.
After a while, she reached for a picture book, hoping a story about a talking bear might keep her sane.
But before she could even open it, a small voice made her freeze.
"Mommy?"
She turned immediately.
Oliver sat on the carpet in the corner, clutching a toy car, his bright eyes full of curiosity.
"Yes, sweetheart?"
"Mom, what happened to your face?"
"What?" she blinked.
"Why does it look like a strawberry?"
Evelyn's mouth opened and closed again, surprised.
Then she realized her face was probably still red from Axel's earlier teasing.
Perfect.
Her almost four-year-old had just caught her blushing over his father.
"Ah... really?" she said, forcing a laugh and pretending to check her cheeks. "Maybe… Mommy just wanted to eat a strawberry."
