The soft cooing from the crib filled the modest studio apartment like a lullaby. The golden light from the morning sunlight spilled across the floor and the small table at the corner where a few papers, pens, and a calculator were spread out in organized chaos.
Katherine sat cross-legged on the floor, her back resting against the couch. One hand held a pencil, tapping lightly against her chin, while the other hovered over a printed spreadsheet she'd been updating for the past hour. Numbers stared back at her—black ink full of hard truths.
She looked toward the crib a few steps away.
Maya giggled, her little hands waving in the air while Nathan—who had just learned to roll over—was now trying to grab the dangling plush star above his head. They were both lively this morning, more so than usual, and their laughter was a much-needed balm.
"You two don't care how expensive diapers are, huh?" Katherine mumbled with a faint smile.
