Chapter 49

The thunder outside still rumbled, but Eva had gradually fallen asleep. As Leon sat in the chair, watching her steady breathing, his mind drifted back to past nights when Victoria would bury herself under the covers every time there was a storm. Even though it was stiflingly hot beneath the blanket and though it did nothing to muffle the sound, she insisted on curling up inside. No matter how tightly he held her or how he covered her ears, she wouldn't feel safe unless she had a layer of fabric shielding her. Remembering this, he pulled out his phone and messaged Edwin, "How's your mother?" Edwin was on a video call with Victoria and Susie at that moment. Victoria had been messaging Susie since the previous night, but there had been no response. At first, she assumed Susie had pulled another all-nighter and was sleeping it off—something that had happened plenty of times before. But after an entire day and night without a reply, it was hard not to worry. Fortunately, the video c