Later that night, my heart raced with a mix of excitement and anxiety at the thought of what was about to happen, a promise made by Roman hanging in the air.
I had just finished a lesson with Harper, our session involving colorful counting blocks that had turned into giggles and smiles. But as the hours slipped away, the inevitable pull of sleep began to claim her, and I knew it was time for her to rest.
Julian had messaged earlier, letting me know he wouldn't be home that night, leaving me alone with Harper, whose small form lay curled up on the couch, her head resting gently on my lap.
I gazed down at her peaceful face, brushing a stray strand of hair away with tenderness. "Stubborn little thing," I whispered to myself, a smile tugging at my lips. My eyes flicked to the clock, the glowing numbers revealing it was already ten o'clock. A knot formed in my stomach as an anxious thought crept in—Roman was taking longer to arrive than he usually did.
