"Have you decided what to wear yet, Layla?" Avery asked instead of answering Layla's questions. "People usually wear black clothes to a funeral. How about you wear this black dress with these black tights?"

Layla nodded her head. "You don't look happy, Mommy. What were you looking at just now?"

Avery forced a smile and said, "It's about work."

"You could ask Daddy to help you with that," Layla suggested. "He's staying at our house now. Could he refuse to help you with a thing or two?"

"I'll handle it myself. Let's get you changed!" Avery's heart was heavy, but she could not express it. She changed the subject and asked, "Are you sure you want to go back to school next week, Layla?"

"I am. I want to be braver. If the other kids are going back to school, then I can, too."

"You're amazing, Layla. I'm so proud of you." Avery crouched down and planted a kiss on her daughter's forehead.

In the living room, Elliot's phone was ringing.

When Robert heard the ringtone, his obsidian black