Mara wakes up feeling alive as she plans the biggest event of the year: the twins' fifth birthday.
She stood in her bedroom, her gaze drifted to the velvet box tucked in the drawer, still housing Refael's ring. She opened it once more—just for a moment—and smiled. Then she looked at the framed photos on her dresser: her mother's kind eyes, her father's strong arms, Grandpa's soft grin. Then Maria, frozen mid-laugh, and Rafael, his eyes forever gentle.
"Good morning," she whispered fondly. She closed the drawer gently and turned, just in time for the chaos to come barreling in.
"Mummy!" Audrey stormed into the room, arms flailing like a dramatic actress at the peak of her scene. "Can we have a costume party for our birthday? Please!"
"That's stupid," Andrew called from behind her, trailing in with a furrowed brow and a logic-driven sigh. "Costume parties are for babies."
"It's not stupid," Audrey snapped, turning on her brother with her fists clenched. "You're just boring!"
