The fog didn’t lift; it just turned from white to yellow.

I got up and made a pot of coffee, my hands still unsteady.

Lily and Ethan woke up an hour later, full of their usual morning energy.

“Why is there a police car outside, Mommy?” Lily asked, looking out the kitchen window.

“They’re just checking on the neighborhood, sweetie,” I said, trying to keep my voice light. “Nothing to worry about.”

“Can we go to the beach today?” Ethan asked, pouring cereal into a bowl.

“Not today,” I said. “We have to go to the city. Mommy has some errands to run.”

“With Mr. Hayes?” Lily asked.

“Yes,” I said. “With Mr. Hayes.”

By 9:00 AM, we were in my car, driving through the thick coastal fog toward the highway.

The police cruiser followed us until we reached the main road.

The drive to the city was quiet.

The children fell asleep in the backseat, lulled by the hum of the tires on the wet pavement.

As we neared the city, the fog began to clear, replaced by the towering concrete and glass of the financial district.