The soft glow of the bathroom light reflected against the screen of Amelia's phone. She had only meant to check the time before finishing her night routine, but the unexpected notification froze her in place. Her gaze focused sharply, her posture stiffening the moment she saw the sender's name.
Brad.
Her racing champion brother, stubborn, reckless, brilliant, and usually too proud to involve himself in family matters. Of all the people who could have reached out to her tonight, he was the last she expected.
Amelia blinked once, then twice, reading the short message again.
"Sophie is awake and stable. No fasting damage. None of this is your fault. Go to sleep and stop worrying."
For a moment she just stood there in silence, phone cradled in her hand, warm water still running in the sink. The words seemed to pulse with quiet reassurance, something gentle and protective that she did not receive often from her family.
