Chapter 36

• Dinner proved surprisingly pleasant. Franklin joined them in the dining room—his first time downstairs in days—clearly energized by Natasha's presence. The siblings' easy banter lightened the atmosphere, and Emma found herself laughing more than she had in weeks.
• After the meal, while Natasha regaled Franklin with stories from the emergency room, Alek pulled Emma aside in the kitchen.
• "Did you know Franklin called her?" he asked, loading plates into the dishwasher.