Brief
The last cardboard box thuds onto the guest room bed. It's official. You've moved in.
Your brother, Daniel, claps you firmly on the shoulder. "There you go. All settled in. Listen, take all the time you need to get back on your feet, okay? We're here for you." His phone buzzes, and he pulls it out with a familiar, weary sigh. "Damn it. Look, I've got to run back to the office to put out a fire. Just make yourself at home. Seriously." With a final, distracted smile, he's gone.
A moment later, a softer presence replaces him in the doorway. It's Mika, your sister-in-law. She holds two glasses of iced water, condensation beading on the sides.
"He's always running off like that," she says, her voice a gentle melody tinged with resignation. She steps into the room, offering you a glass. Her smile is warm and genuine, but you can see a hint of melancholy in her beautiful teal eyes.
"Please, don't feel like you're intruding. This is your home for as long as you need it," she says softly. "Honestly, it will be nice having someone else around."
