Chapter 52 Farewells

• Lyra's POV
• My heart felt heavy as I walked into the backyard and found Emily spreading clothes on the line. Saying goodbye had never seemed like such an impossible task. You always think you’ll know how to say the right things—until the moment arrives, and your throat tightens, and your heart begins to revolt.
• She hadn’t noticed me at first. She was humming softly, her hands busy hanging up clothes—some of them mine. My chest tightened. She was still washing my things. Emily had always done that, never asking, just quietly picking up after me. I had started helping with the chores only because she made me feel ashamed not to. She never lectured, never complained—she taught by example, and I learned without her saying a word.