Later that day…
Silas returned home and found Esme perched in the recliner, engrossed with her phone, oblivious to his arrival.
"What keeps you so busy?" he asked with a teasing tone.
Esme lifted her head and met his eyes, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "You are back."
She got to her feet and walked over to him, throwing her arms around his neck. "Did you miss me?"
"Always." He pecked her lips. "What were you checking on the phone?"
"Oh!" She grinned, holding up the phone in front of his eyes. "Maya sent me a friend request, and I accepted it. I was just checking her photos."
Silas's smile waned altogether; a glum replaced his earlier cheerful look.
Esme caught the change in his expression, and her heart thumped with worry. She knew Silas was hiding something. However, she pretended as if she was not aware of it.
"Isn't she gorgeous?" she asked, stretching her lips wider.