After Michelle left, Esther dedicated the entire evening to her work, pouring her energy into her tasks with unwavering focus. The hours slipped away until she finally returned home in the early evening, her mind still buzzing with thoughts of the day's accomplishments. As she stepped through the door, she noticed that Cyrus was home earlier than usual, a sight that piqued her curiosity.
"Hey, you're home early," she remarked, her voice laced with surprise. Cyrus shrugged nonchalantly, a playful smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"I just felt like coming home casually," he replied, leaning against the wall with an air of relaxation that seemed to lighten the mood.
"I'm hungry. I think I'll grab a quick snack," Esther said, her thoughts already shifting to the kitchen as she made her way toward the dining hall. However, Cyrus's expression changed, and a flicker of concern crossed his face.
