Chapter 78: Normal morning

The stressful events made us go to bed early and I let the sleep creep over me like a heavy blanket, grateful for the chance to forget everything for a few hours. My thoughts, my fears, even Michael’s shadow lingering behind every moment, sleep swallowed all of it whole. Morning came swiftly. I felt it before I opened my eyes: the soft glow through the curtains, the faint warmth on my arms, the dull ache behind my eyelids. I yawned and stretched my arms above my head. My body felt heavy but a little lighter than yesterday, like some weight had shifted, just not completely gone.

The door opened gently.

Sean stepped inside with a small smile that reached only halfway to his eyes. “Hey, sleeping beauty,” he said softly. I smiled back. “Morning.”

He walked to the edge of the bed and sat beside me, brushing a strand of hair away from my face. His fingers lingered, but his mind was far away. I could see it immediately, his smile was only there for me, but his spirit was running somewhere else entirely.

“You slept okay?” he asked.

“I tried,” I replied, pushing myself up slowly. “You?”

He exhaled through his nose, almost a scoff. “Barely. My mind was working overtime.”

I studied him for a moment, the tension in his jaw, the shadows under his eyes, the stiffness in his shoulders. Sean was unraveling quietly, the way strong men do, silently, until the cracks turn into something dangerous. “I hate all of this,” he admitted. “I hate that Cindy had to speak in codes. I hate that we still don’t know what’s happening. And I hate that Michael’s name keeps coming up again and again.”

I placed my hand over his. “We will figure it out.”

Before he could answer, we heard footsteps in the hallway, light, shuffling ones. Mom was awake.

Sean stood and offered his hand to help me out of bed. “Come on. She’s probably making breakfast even though she shouldn’t be.”

I laughed. “That’s exactly what she’s doing.”

We stepped into the hallway and followed the faint sound of dishes clinking. Mom was at the counter with a cup of tea cooling on the table, her body still fragile from yesterday’s panic. Her eyes lifted the moment she saw us.

“Oh good, you are up,” she said, forcing cheer into her voice. “I didn’t want to bother you last night.”

“How do you feel?” I asked gently.

She hesitated, then nodded. “Relieved and still a little embarrassed. The doctor explained everything again this morning in a message and said it’s just menopausal pain. Nothing malignant, nothing dangerous.” She repeated the doctor’s words exactly as if she needed to reassure herself. “‘There are no signs of any cancerous activity. Your symptoms are consistent with hormonal fluctuations and musculoskeletal strain.’ That’s what he said.”

Sean wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “See? You are fine, just don’t scare us like that again.”

“Oh, please,” she muttered, waving a hand. “I just need rest. Maybe a holiday.”

Connor entered the kitchen next, hair in a chaotic mess, rubbing sleep from his eyes.

“Morning,” he groaned. “Why is everyone awake like it’s a Monday?”

Mom chuckled. “Because some of us sleep before midnight.”

Connor sat at the table, slumped like a zombie. “Well some of us don’t have early bird energy.”

Sean smirked. “Grow up, kid.”

It was ordinary, It was warm and yet beneath it all, something felt off, it felt too calm and too normal. Like the air had a secret and it was waiting for the right moment to whisper it.

I poured myself a glass of juice, trying to shake the feeling.

Sean leaned on the counter beside me. “I have to go check something today,” he said under his breath, keeping his voice low so his family wouldn’t overhear.

My stomach tightened. “What something?”

“Just… loose ends.” His eyes darkened. “I will tell you after. I don’t want to talk about it here.”

My heartbeat quickened.

“Is it about Michael?”

He didn’t answer and that was enough to tell me yes.

Connor suddenly looked up, suspicious. “Why are you two whispering like FBI agents?”

I plastered on a smile. “Nothing. Just talking about errands.”

Sean changed the topic instantly. “You guys want breakfast? I can make eggs.”

Connor lit up. “Yes, chef.”

Mom sighed. “No, sit down, I will make them.”

“No,” Sean insisted. “You’re resting. Doctor’s orders.”

As he cooked, the mood softened again. Connor cracked jokes. Mom scolded him between laughs. I watched Sean move around the kitchen, focused, calm, collected but underneath, I could sense the storm building.

Something about today wasn’t right. The atmosphere had a heaviness to it that didn’t belong. The house felt too quiet, even with everyone talking. Too still. Like the world was holding its breath.

Breakfast felt normal, but my nerves remained on edge.

After eating, Mom went to the living room to watch her shows, and Connor disappeared to shower.

Sean touched my arm and nodded toward the hallway.

“Let’s talk in our room.”

I followed him, my heartbeat loud in my ears.

The moment the door closed, his entire expression changed. The mask fell. The tiredness, frustration, and fear all resurfaced.

“Rose,” he muttered, gripping the back of his neck. “Things are getting worse.”

“What do you mean?” My voice tightened.

“Michael is not backing off. And after what Cindy said yesterday… I think we’re missing something. Something big.”

A cold shiver crawled down my spine.

“What are you planning to do today?”

He hesitated. “I’m meeting someone.”

“Who?”

“A friend,” he said vaguely. “Someone who can help us get clarity.”

I stepped closer. “Sean… please be careful.”

He looked at me for a long moment, then pressed his forehead against mine. “I will. I promise.”

There was a softness in his tone, but also a lingering fear, this wasn’t just another errand. This was something deeper. Something that would push him closer to whatever truth he was chasing… or whatever danger he was walking into.

“I’ll be back by afternoon,” he whispered.

I nodded, even though my chest felt tight.

He kissed me gently and left. The door closed behind him with a weight that made the silence heavier.

I stood alone in the room, trying to steady my breathing.

Mom’s laughter drifted from the living room. Connor’s footsteps echoed in the hallway. The house was full of life, full of noise, full of normality.

But beneath all of that…

Something dark was moving.

Something unseen.

And as I stared at the door Sean had walked out of…

I couldn’t shake the feeling that today would shift everything.