For a while, Delphinia thought Ashton had fallen asleep. His tiny body was still under the blanket. She rested on her side, her head sinking into the plush pillow, staring at the ceiling.
Her thoughts wandered, replaying the events of the day—the kiss, the overwhelming emotions, the courage it took to knock on Ashton's door. It was quiet, and for a moment, the world felt peaceful.
Then, Ashton's small voice broke the silence.
"Thank you," he whispered. His words were muffled, the sound coming from under the blanket as he pulled it up to cover his face.
Delphinia turned her head to look at him, her brows furrowing slightly in concern. "Thank you? For what?" she asked gently, her voice soft so as not to startle him.
The blanket shifted slightly as Ashton adjusted underneath it. "For letting me have a mom," he murmured. His words were soft, but they hit Delphinia like a ton of bricks.
