The door clicks shut behind me while I slip my heels off, careful not to make a noise. If it weren’t for those bastards, I would’ve arrived home earlier—Maybe even in time for dinner. But it’s past midnight, so that did not happen.

Everything seemed to be in place. The door handle was as I left it, and I don’t notice a change in temperature.

“We’re fine.” I whisper more to the room, than myself. Analysing the house became a habit of mine ever since I came to be a mother. For safety reasons. For my peace of mind.

Just before I could slip into the bathroom to change, little foot steps pad down the corridor toward me. Loud and wild; anyone would hear it from a mile away.

“Darling, you’re still awake?”

Round eyes full of innocence. They meet mine with nothing but pure love. Instead of getting mad (that it’s way past bedtime), my expression softens with a warm smile.

Covering the blood stain with my coat, I kneel down and embrace them into my cold arms. I want to hold onto this moment and protect it forever.

“Are you okay, my little angel? I hope I wasn’t away for too long…”