Ryan spent the whole morning helping Ava carry water to the small garden behind the house. The place wasn’t big, just a few plastic buckets with vegetables Ava planted herself. But it was the only part of the home that still felt peaceful.Ava wiped sweat from her forehead. “Ryan… thank you. My shoulder still hurts from yesterday.”“It’s nothing,” Ryan replied calmly. “You shouldn’t be doing heavy work anyway.”Ava smiled a little, the first smile he had seen all day. “If I wait for Clara’s mother to help me, I will grow old.”Ryan only sighed. He already knew the answer.As they worked quietly, Ryan felt someone watching them. The feeling was sharp, almost heavy. He lifted his head slowly. At the far end of the backyard fence, someone stood behind the mango tree.A shadow. Tall. Still.Ryan frowned.Ava didn’t notice; she was checking her plant leaves. “Ryan, do you think they’ll grow fast? I want to sell some vegetables to save small money…”“Get inside,” Ryan said suddenly.Ava bli

Morning came with soft sunlight slipping through the small window. Ryan woke up early, feeling a strange heaviness in his chest. He didn’t sleep well. Clara’s shouting last night still echoed in the house, but he tried to ignore it. As usual, he prepared to go to work quietly.Ava was already in the kitchen making tea for her mother, Madam Grace, who had been sick for weeks. She looked tired, her eyes red, but she forced a small smile when she saw Ryan.“Good morning,” she greeted.Ryan nodded. “Good morning. How is your mom?”“Still weak,” Ava said softly. “The hospital said we must pay the remaining bill before they continue treatment. I…I don’t know what to do again.” She looked down, her fingers shaking slightly.Ryan wanted to tell her the truth — that she didn’t need to worry anymore, that the bill was settled. But he held the words in. He didn’t want her to feel indebted or pressured. He wanted to remain invisible, helpful from the shadows.Before he could reply, Clara walked i

The day after Ava’s mother returned from the hospital, the entire house felt strangely quiet. Ryan woke up early, swept the compound, and prepared to leave for his usual small jobs. But something about the calm morning made him pause. It felt like the house was carrying a secret.Inside the sitting room, Clara and her mother were sitting close, whispering like they didn’t want anyone else to hear. As Ryan passed the doorway, they quickly stopped talking. Clara’s mother gave him a sharp look, the kind that always made him feel unwelcome.“You are going out again?” she asked coldly.“Yes, ma,” Ryan said with a small bow.Clara folded her arms. “You better come back early and wash the plates. I don’t want to hear stories.”Ryan nodded, trying not to let her tone affect him. “No problem.”He turned to leave, but as he stepped outside, he heard Clara’s mother mutter under her breath.“Useless boy… yet he’s walking around like he has nothing to hide.”Clara whispered back, “I don’t tr

?The whole Harrison house was strangely quiet that afternoon. Ryan had just finished sweeping the front yard when he heard raised voices coming from inside. It wasn’t the usual harsh tone that Mrs. Harrison used on him. This one sounded worried… almost scared.Ryan paused at the doorway.He didn’t want to look like he was listening, so he bent down and pretended to tie his slippers. But the voices kept spilling out clearly into the hallway.Ava was speaking first.“Mom, you’re too stressed,” she said softly. “The doctor said you need to rest more.”Mrs. Harrison exhaled sharply. “How do you expect me to rest when things keep going wrong? This house used to be peaceful before all these problems started.”Ava didn’t reply.Ryan remained still, pretending to fix the strap of his footwear. He wasn’t trying to eavesdrop. He just didn’t want to walk in and make things awkward. But the next words froze him completely.Mrs. Harrison’s voice dropped to a shaky whisper.“I still wonder if it’s

Clara woke up early the next morning with a heavy head. She had barely slept. Mrs. Harrison had cried half the night, worried about bills, worried about the failed business deal, and worried about Ava’s schooling. Clara had tried to comfort her mother, but inside, her thoughts were restless.Ryan.Ever since he left town, things had only become more confusing. The house felt emptier. The dinner table felt too quiet. Even Ava noticed it and kept asking when he would come back. Clara hated that her mind always drifted to him when she least expected it. She told herself it meant nothing. He was just a useless son-in-law. That was what she had always believed.But lately… things didn’t feel the same.Clara pushed the thoughts aside as she stepped into the living room. Mrs. Harrison sat on the couch, looking pale, with her hands clasped tightly.“Good morning, Mom,” Clara said softly.Mrs. Harrison forced a tired smile. “Morning, Clara. Did you sleep?”“I tried,” Clara replied.There was a