…tension. The air seemed to have become heavy, as before a storm.

David didn’t answer.

He just knelt down in front of Emily.

The little girl was trembling.

His hands were red from the cold and from work.

« Come with me, little one, » he said gently.

Emily hesitated for a second.

She looked at Janet.

Then at her father.

And finally, she ran to him.

David picked her up.

She was too light.

Too light.

That made something inside him break.

“When was the last time you ate properly?” he asked quietly.

Emily looked down.

“Yesterday… I think.”

David closed his eyes for a second.

He took a deep breath.

When he looked back at Janet, his voice was no longer gentle.

“Pack your things.”

Janet blinked.