Sarah adjusted the kitchen towels while the morning sun spilled across the wooden counter.
The house felt warm and quiet on a school morning.
Mark was sitting at the breakfast table while scrolling through his phone.
Their seven year old daughter Lily sat drawing a picture with colored pencils.
Sarah poured a fresh cup of coffee for her husband.
She smiled at the quiet routine they shared every single day.
Mark did not look up from his screen when she set the mug down.
He seemed distracted lately by his work as an accountant.
Sarah assumed he was stress about the upcoming mortgage payment.
She leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on his forehead.
Mark pulled back slightly and cleared his throat nervously.
Sarah noticed his sudden movement but decided not to push him.
She walked over to Lily to inspect her colorful drawing.
Lily was carefully drawing a house with a big yellow sun above it.
Next to the house were three small figures holding hands.
Sarah smiled as she stroked her daughter soft brown hair.
Then Lily picked up a red crayon and added another figure.
The figure had long hair and sat next to the daddy drawing.
Sarah laughed softly and asked who the new person was.
Lily looked up with large clear eyes that held no fear.
Mommy, Daddy has a girlfriend, Lily said in a soft voice.
Sarah froze right in place as the words hit her ears.
She thought her daughter was playing a simple pretend game.
Mark snapped his phone shut with a sharp clicking sound.
Lily, do not talk nonsense while your mother is busy, Mark said quickly.
The sudden anger in his voice made the room feel cold instantly.
Sarah turned around to look directly at her husband face.
Mark had gone completely pale under the kitchen lights.
Why would she say that, Mark, Sarah asked quietly.
Mark stood up from the table and smoothed his blue shirt down.
Kids say weird things all the time from TV shows, he replied.
Lily set her red crayon down on the wooden table gently.
And you have three days to go to the bank, Lily added softly.
Sarah felt her stomach drop into a deep dark pit.
She looked back and forth between her young child and her husband.
Mark swallowed hard and reached for his car keys on the counter.
I am going to be late for my morning meeting, he muttered.
He walked toward the front hallway without looking at Sarah once.
Sarah stood in the quiet kitchen as the door clicked shut.
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