Charlotte and Sophia were still sitting on the veranda, chatting quietly, when they heard the familiar sound of Jacob's car horn echoing in front of the gate. Sophia, ever quick to react, immediately got up to open the gate. Jacob entered the yard but stayed for a moment in the car, his hands clenched on the steering wheel, eyes staring blankly into space. He took a deep breath, as if preparing himself for an internal storm. Everything Gloria had said kept replaying in his mind, pulling him into a whirlwind of doubts and endless questions.
Sophia closed the gate and joined Charlotte, who was silently watching Jacob's car. Her heart tightened when she saw him sitting still, as if something heavy was holding him in place.