Perhaps it was because of the heat, Charlotte Thompson fell asleep unknowingly in the kids' room.
When she woke up, it was already evening. At first, she gazed blankly at the slowly setting sun, then yawned like someone waking from a dream, and got up from the chair.
She opened the door and tiptoed into the living room. Stopping suddenly, she saw Annie Anne lying sideways on the sofa, her face obscured, betraying no expression.
Oliver Hudson was sitting at the other end of the couch, immersed in thought, his eyes filled with questioning and hesitation.
Charlotte's gaze shifted and fell upon the mung bean soup on the table.
The disposable spoon remained unopened; nobody had touched it.
A complex emotion flashed across her eyes, then she walked towards Annie, sat down, and asked gently, "Feeling better, Annie?"
Only after her question did Annie stir.