The evening sky had darkened, casting a muted glow over the quiet neighborhood as Edwards and his family stood outside their home, a once lively space now steeped in silence. Edwards stood at the threshold, his hand hovering over the keypad of the security lock. His chest rose and fell with deep, quiet breaths as he stared at the door—so familiar, yet heavy with memories. He finally pressed the sequence of numbers that still felt like second nature, the beep of the lock breaking the silence before the door clicked open with a soft thud.
He glanced at Annabelle and Karen, standing behind him. Without a word, Edwards stepped inside first, holding the door wide open for his wife and son to follow.
