The sun hadn't yet risen when Evie Lane tiptoed out of her tiny bedroom, careful not to wake her younger sister Lily who was sprawled across the bed her violin case leaning against the wall like a silent guardian. the flat was still quiet except for the light buzz of the refrigerator and the casual squeak of the floorboards below her feet. Evie paused for a moment her gaze lingering on the framed photo of her father on the wall. His warm, tender and fatherly smile seemed to glow in the dim light, a reminder of a time when life was simpler, when the world felt kinder.

She shook away the nostalgia and walked into the kitchen her cold feet brushing against the cool floor. The clock on the wall read 5:15 a.m. and Evie knew she had exactly forty-five minutes to prepare breakfast pack Lily's lunch and make sure her mother's medication was ready before she had to leave for her shift at the café. Time was a luxury she couldn't afford.

The kitchen was small, barely enough for two people to stand side by side, but it was the heart of their home. Evie moved with practiced steps, cracking eggs into a bowl, slicing bread and humming softly under her breath. The scent of coffee soon filled the air, mingling with the buttery aroma of toast. It was a ritual she had perfected over the years, a small act of love that kept her family going.

 "Evie?" a soft voice called from the hallway.

Evie turned to see her mother Margaret leaning against the doorframe her face pale but her eyes bright with affection. Margaret's illness over the years had taken its toll on her, but she still carried herself with a quiet strength that Evie admired.

"Mom you need rest and should be sleeping" Evie chided lightly crossing the room while guiding her mother to the table.

Margaret waved her away with a weak grin. "I wanted to see my girls before the day starts. Besides, I can't let you do all the work."

Evie's heart ached at the sight of her mother's trembling hands as she reached for the coffee mug. She promptly poured the coffee and set it down, her fingers brushing against her mother's. "Let me take care of you, okay? That's my job."

Margaret's eyes softened and she reached out to cup Evie's cheek. "You've always been so strong, my love. But you shouldn't forget to care of yourself too."

Forcing a smile, Evie though the weight of her responsibilities pressed heavily on her chest. "I'm fine, Mom. Really."

They were interrupted by a sound of footsteps as Lily burst into the kitchen, her dark hair a wild mess and her violin case slung over her shoulder. "Morning!" she chirped, her voice far too cheerful for the early hour.

"Morning, dear," Evie said, ruffling her sister's hair. "How's my favorite musician?"

Lily grinned, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I practiced a new piece last night. I think I've almost got it!"

Evie's heart swelled with pride as she watched Lily set her violin case down and grab a piece of toast. At sixteen, Lily was a prodigy, her talent undeniable. But talent didn't pay the bills, and Evie knew that Lily's dreams of attending a prestigious music school were slipping further out of reach.

"That's great, Lily," Evie said, trying to keep her voice light. "Maybe you can play it for us later."

Lily nodded, her mouth full of toast. "Definitely. Oh, and Evie, don't forget about the tuition fees. They're due next week."

Evie's stomach dropped, but she forced herself to nod. "I know, Lily. Don't worry, I'll take care of it."

Margaret's gaze flickered to Evie, a silent understanding passing between them. They both knew the truth—Evie had no idea how she was going to come up with the money. But she couldn't let Lily see her fear. Her sister's dreams were too important.

As the morning light filtered through the thin curtains, Evie watched her family gather around the small table, their laughter and chatter filling the room. For a moment, she allowed herself to forget about the mounting bills, the overdue rent, and the endless shifts at the café. For a moment, she let herself believe that everything would be okay.

But as she glanced at the clock and realized she was running late, the weight of reality came crashing back. She kissed her mother on the forehead, hugged Lily tightly, and grabbed her bag, her mind already racing with the day's to-do list.

"I'll see you tonight," Evie called over her shoulder as she headed for the door.

"Love you, Evie!" Lily's voice followed her, bright and full of hope.

"Love you too," Evie whispered, her throat tight with emotion.

As she stepped out into the crisp morning air, Evie took a deep breath, steeling herself for the day ahead. She didn't know how she was going to make ends meet, but she knew one thing for certain—she would do whatever it took to keep her family together. No matter the cost