The twin's observation

Yvonne froze for a moment, startled by the simple observation. She forced a smile, turning to Lily. “Oh, I just—” She faltered, feeling the weight of her daughter’s gaze, so innocent yet so piercing. “I forgot, sweetie. I’m sorry.”

But even as she spoke, her hand moved to push more food from her plate onto Lily’s, as if by reflex. She couldn’t seem to bring herself to eat, her appetite drained by the tension she was trying so hard to ignore.

Jack, always the more observant of the two, set down his fork, his small face serious. “Mommy,” he said quietly, “you didn’t eat Daddy’s food. You’re giving it to us.”

Yvonne’s hand stilled again, caught mid-motion as she transferred a piece of chicken to Jack’s plate. Her heart skipped a beat at the quiet accusation in his tone, the innocent truth that cut through her like a knife.

“You told us to always say thank you when someone is kind to us,” Jack continued, his voice steady and calm, “but you didn’t say it to Daddy this time. You’re not happ