Chapter 94
High Standard
"Alayna, dear, are you alright?" my grandmother asked, her voice threading gently through the room. "You look like you've gone somewhere far away."
I blinked, as I pulled back from my thoughts.
"I'm fine, Grandma. Just… thinking," I said, as I offered a small smile.
"Thinking about what?" Her eyes sparkled, already suspecting the answer.
I hesitated, then let the truth land softly. "About how nice it feels to be here."
My gaze drifted, unbidden, toward Dafa.
My grandmother followed it and smiled, not teasing, not sharp. Just knowing.
"Yes. It's good to have family close. And it's good to see you like this, Alayna."
"Like what?"
"Rested," she said simply. "I haven't seen that in you for a long time."
I nodded. "I didn't realize how tired I was… until I wasn't anymore."
Her attention shifted to Dafa. "And you, young man? Are you enjoying this hidden place?"
