“My name is Mason,” the young man said politely. “I’ve taken care of my little sister since she was born. I might be able to soothe your baby if you’re comfortable with that.”
Henry hesitated. It wasn’t in his nature to hand responsibility to someone else, especially a stranger. He had spent months tightening his world, keeping everything under careful control. Yet Nora’s cries tugged at him harder than his instinct to maintain authority.
Mason stepped closer with a reassuring smile. He spoke softly, gently adjusting his voice as if he were speaking to someone much smaller.
“It’s all right, little one,” he whispered as he lifted her carefully. Then he began humming a slow, tender tune, rocking her with the practiced ease of someone who truly understood the rhythm of caring for a baby.
Something remarkable happened.
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