It was supposed to be perfect.
One of those simple summer days families remember forever.
Diane stood by the grill, smiling as she flipped burgers, watching her grandchildren run barefoot across the grass. Moments like this reminded her of when her own kids were young—when life felt easier.
Her son Jason Harper had just arrived earlier with his wife, Lena, and their four-year-old daughter, Mia.
Everything looked normal.
But something felt… off.
The Only Child Not Playing
Diane noticed it a few minutes later.
Or rather—she noticed who wasn’t there.
Little Mia sat alone on a lounge chair near the fence.
While the other kids laughed in bright swimsuits, she stayed in her pale pink dress, feet dangling, hands gripping the edge of the chair like she didn’t want to be seen.
Diane’s smile faded.
Mia wasn’t a quiet child.
She was the loudest, happiest one in the family.
Today… she looked small.
Withdrawn.
Almost afraid.
Diane walked over and crouched beside her.
“Sweetheart,” she said gently, brushing hair from Mia’s face.
“Don’t you want to go swim with your cousins?”
Mia shook her head.
“My tummy hurts,” she whispered.
Diane’s heart tightened. “Since when, honey?”
Before Mia could answer—