She hesitated. "How did you..."

Tristan Davis grabbed a throw pillow and held it over his lap, giving her a helpless smile. "Sweetheart, I'm a man. It's only natural for me to react when the woman I love throws herself into my arms."

Emily Blair blinked at the unfamiliar pet name, uncertainty flickering across her face. "Do you... want me to help you?"

Tristan shook his head with a sigh. "No, darling. I'll take care of it myself. You should probably head back."

If he let Emily help, things might spiral out of control.

Emily murmured a soft "okay," but didn't move. Her clear, dark eyes lingered on him. "Will you take a cold shower? It's almost winter, and the temperature's really dropped. Just... be careful, alright? Don't catch a cold."

Tristan took a deep breath and buried his face in the pillow. “......Please, just go.”

He listened as Emily's footsteps faded toward the door and heard her pull it open.

From the hallway, her voice drifted back, not too close, not too far. "What time are you leaving tomorrow morning? I'll drive you to the airport."

Tristan lifted his head, his voice gentle. "My flight's at nine."

Emily nodded. "Alright."

The door closed behind her.

Tristan finally let out a breath he'd been holding.

***

Saturday morning, after dropping Tristan off at the airport, Emily went straight back

home and collapsed into bed-she still had plans later that afternoon.

When she woke, she saw a message from Tristan: he'd landed safely.

There was more.

Information about Sunshine House.

Tristan had managed to track down a woman who used to work there, a teacher named Sadie Morris. Ms. Morris was now at Seedlings of Hope, an orphanage on the outskirts of the capital-still within driving distance.

Years ago, Adelaide George had left her child at Sunshine House.

On Sunday, Emily gathered the documents and set out.

After a two-and-a-half-hour drive, she parked in front of Seedlings of Hope.

The front gate was closed. From where she stood, Emily could see children of all ages playing on the playground beyond the fence.

She walked up to the security booth and rapped lightly on the window. "Hello."

The security guard glanced up. "Can I help you?"

"I'm here to see Ms. Sadie Morris."

He eyed her. “You looking for Ms. Morris? What's this about?"

Emily hesitated, then said, “I'm a former student of hers. I just wanted to visit—if that's alright."

He scrutinized her for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, sign your information in the visitor log first."

Once she had filled out the form, the guard unlocked the main gate and let her through.

According to his directions, Ms. Morris's office was on the third floor, in the center of the building.

As Emily walked through the hallway, a group of children paused their games to watch her silently, their eyes wide with curiosity.

She gave them a nod and headed up the stairs.

Room 306.

This had to be it.

Emily knocked. Almost immediately, a calm, steady woman's voice called from inside, "Come in."

She pushed open the door. A middle-aged woman wearing black-rimmed glasses looked up, studying her with a hint of confusion.

"And you are?"

Emily stepped inside and closed the door softly behind her.

"Hello, Ms. Morris. I have a few questions I was hoping you could help me with."

Ms. Morris gestured to the chair. "Please, have a seat."

Once Emily sat down, Ms. Morris asked, "Are you here about an adoption?"

Emily paused, then shook her head. “No, I actually have some questions about Sunshine House. Would you mind?"

Ms. Morris frowned, clearly thinking back. "Sunshine House... That place shut down more than a decade ago."