Rebecca stayed.
That was the first thing Mira noticed the next morning.
Her heels clicked softly across the marble floor as she moved through the living room, sunlight catching the flawless waves of her hair. She looked perfectly at ease, as if the house had already accepted her.
"Good morning," Rebecca said warmly when she saw Mira. "Did you sleep well?"
"Yes," Mira replied politely.
"Such discipline," Rebecca smiled. "You remind me of myself at your age."
Mira didn't know how to respond to that.
---
Later that afternoon, Mira returned from school to find her mother and Rebecca seated together, flipping through a fashion magazine.
"Rebecca was just saying how lonely this house must feel," her mother said casually. "A woman's presence makes all the difference."
Rebecca nodded. "Especially for a man like Dominic. He needs someone who understands his world."
Mira set her bag down quietly.
"I'll go study," she said.
"Don't isolate yourself," Rebecca added gently. "Family time is important."
Mira paused.
Then nodded once and left.
---
That evening, Dominic came home late.
Rebecca waited for him.
"You work too much," she said softly. "It isn't healthy."
Dominic removed his jacket. "I'm used to it."
"You shouldn't be," Rebecca replied. "You deserve balance."
He glanced past her—toward the hallway Mira had disappeared into.
"And peace," Rebecca added, following his gaze.
Dominic's eyes hardened slightly.
---
In her room, Mira sat on her bed, scrolling through messages.
Katherine: emergency study session tomorrow
Linda: bring tea again please
Mira: I will
She exhaled slowly.
This house wasn't home.
But at least school was beginning to feel safe.
---
From the corridor, Dominic stopped outside Mira's door.
He heard nothing.
That, somehow, worried him more.