The twins avoided their mother's gaze, choosing instead to focus on Old Mr. Thorne, who looked completely shocked at the term these children had just used for him.
The colorful innocence of youth seemed to envelop the room, drowning out the tension that had previously hung in the air.
Athena felt the heat creep into her palms, making them sweaty and clammy, as Florence gently pried her hand free from hers and stood up.
The older woman walked over to the long sofa where her husband sat with the children, and took a seat to the left of Nathaniel, who turned then, and gazed up at her with his bright, puppy-like blue eyes.
But by the sight of her children's affection, Athena felt both confusion and immobility wash over her. What were they playing at?
