Page 43 of Absolution

Chapter Fourteen

Kyle

Pulling into the driveway, I kill the engine and take a breath.

Time to play the doting husband again.

The porch light is on, and the house glows warm from the inside. Picture perfect. Like something out of a commercial. Except I know better.

Before I can take out my keys, the door swings open.

“Hey, Dad,” Levi says, standing there with one hand on the doorknob, like he’s been waiting but won’t admit it.

Jemma appears behind him. “Finally,” she mutters, but she’s smiling.

Then Iris barrels out from the doorway and actually hugs me first. “You said you’d be home by five.”

I chuckle and hold her in my arms as she presses her face briefly into my waist before pulling away. Jemma rolls her eyes but hugs me too, quick and firm. Even Levi leans in, giving me one of those half-hearted side-hugs boys his age think pass for cool.

“I missed you guys,” I say, ruffling Levi’s hair, he immediately swats my hand away.

“You were gone for a week, not a year,” he says, but there’s no bite in it.

“Did you bring us anything?” Iris asks, jumping with glee.

“Business trip, remember?” I say. “Not Disneyland.”

“But you always bring something,” Jemma says.

“Even if it’s just gum,” Levi adds.

“Alright, alright,” I grin. “Check the side pocket.”

They all rush toward the bag, squabbling over who opens what first.

Behind them, Jackie appears from the kitchen. There’s something different about her. I can’t put my finger on it. Not her hair, not her clothes. Just… something in the way she holds herself. Straighter. Still.

“Hi, sweetie,” she says, voice even, smile unreadable.

“Hey.” I stand, my laptop bag slipping from my shoulder as the kids find their candy. “I missed you guys so much.”

“You already said that,” Levi says, raising an eyebrow.

“How was school?” I ask, taking a seat on the couch.

“I got a ninety-seven on my science test,” Iris says, grinning.

“And I finally landed a kickflip,” Jemma adds. “Well... kind of. I scraped my knee, but I didn’t cry. Ask Aunt Marianne.”

Levi shrugs, hands in his hoodie pocket. “We had to write about someone from history. I picked Harriet Tubman.”

“Strong choice,” I say, patting his back.

“Dinner’s in the oven. You can heat it up if you’re hungry.” Jackie says over her shoulder, already on her way upstairs.

Just like that. No kiss. No softness. Just... instructions.

The girls flop onto the couch beside me. Levi lingers, eyes darting between me and his mother’s retreating back. He’s old enough now.

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