Leaving Emily to rest, I climbed the stairs, each step heavy with purpose. I found Samantha and Lily chatting in Lily’s room, oblivious to the discord they had sown. Samantha looked up as I entered, her expression shifting from surprise to defensiveness as she sensed the confrontation coming.

“Why is Emily sleeping on an air mattress?” I asked, my voice calm but firm.

Samantha shrugged, an air of indifference about her. “It’s just temporary. Lily needed the bed, and Emily didn’t seem to mind.”