Mark was still standing frozen in place. His eyes were fixed on a pair of baby shoes placed so neatly down there.
A chill still seemed to be creeping up his spine, but now it was mixed with another kind of tightness.
Suddenly, the door to the room in front of him opened slowly. Haelyn was standing there—in the doorway in her nightgown, her face looking calm and gentle.
Haelyn smiled when she saw Mark staring at the shoes.
"Cute, aren't they?" Haelyn asked.
Mark didn't answer; his throat felt dry.
"I bought them online this afternoon. I wanted you to be the first to see them when you got home."
Haelyn stepped closer, paying no mind to Mark's wet and dirty clothes. Haelyn sensed Mark had just done something to Seren downstairs—she'd seen from the balcony when Seren was with Madam Anna and the others. Haelyn just wanted to redirect Mark's focus back to the baby and herself.
"So you'll remember, Mark. Who you're really working so hard for and coming home this late for."
