As Otto stood at the sink washing his hands, his little brows furrowed in curiosity. Something felt off tonight. Why was dinner being served so much earlier than usual? His father wasn't even home yet, and that was rarely the case when meals were moved forward.
Turning to Crystal Foster with innocent eyes, Otto voiced the question lingering in his mind. "Mommy, why are we eating so early today? Daddy hasn't come back yet."
Crystal hesitated, her fingers pausing slightly as she set the plates on the table. There was a flicker of unease in her expression, but she quickly masked it with a soft smile. Reaching over, she gently patted the boy's head, her voice warm and composed even though a tiny lie sat on the tip of her tongue.
"Your dad is really busy with work today, sweetheart," she replied, her tone sweet but firm. "So he won't be home in time for dinner tonight."
