The tension in the garden softened as Spark's mother stepped back slightly, her tear-filled gaze fixed on his face.
She studied him as though searching for any flicker of doubt. Finding none, she exhaled slowly, her trembling lips curving into the faintest smiles. Though her tears still glistened, they now seemed less heavy.
"No," she said firmly, her voice steadier now. "I can't send all three of you away. Just like you said, they're strong. I need to trust that they'll come back."
She hesitated, her smile growing faintly wistful. "I sometimes forget you're all grown up now."
Spark felt the tension in his chest ease, his lips tugging into a soft smile.
"Father seemed worried about you earlier," he said, his tone light. "Maybe you should go see him."
She nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, I should. I haven't had a proper talk with him since this whole incident started."
