[Lily's POV]
The air in the room felt gentler when Lily finally whispered, "Okay… I'll hear them out."
Henry's shoulders relaxed subtly, as if he'd been holding the weight of her panic with her. He gave a small nod—simple, calm, grounding.
But before either of them could say anything else—
*grrrrrrowl—*
Lily froze.
Her stomach let out a loud, long, miserable complaint that echoed far too clearly in the quiet room.
Her entire face flushed red. "Oh my God…"
Henry blinked.
Then—unexpectedly—he laughed.
A warm, unguarded laugh that startled her more than the rumble in her stomach.
He immediately covered his mouth, trying to hide the smile. "Sorry. Sorry—I shouldn't laugh. It's just—"
He tried again to control it, but the corners of his mouth kept twitching.
"You haven't eaten since last night," he said gently. "It's already… what—" he checked the clock on the wall, "—late afternoon."
Lily groaned softly and buried her face in her hands. "I didn't even notice…"
