Sternly tell Elsa to knock if off

You level a look at Elsa, sharp enough to slice through her smirk. "Knock it off," you say, voice low but carrying the weight of a slammed door. "This isn't a joke. Let's just eat and then we'll talk about it. With Kyler, not you Elsa."

The family eat dinner in near silence. The scrape of forks against plates, the wet crunch of pizza crusts, and the faint hum of the refrigerator are the only sounds. Kyler pushes a pepperoni slice around her plate, avoiding everyone's eyes. Ava watches her with a hawk's intensity, her own food untouched. Jason tries to catch your eye, a silent question hanging between you. Elsa, chastened but still radiating smug curiosity, chews loudly and stares at her sister with undisguised fascination.

...

Ava said laying in bed with you. "I don't know what we are going to do with Kyler. She's always been the responsible one. This... this is out of character." She turned to face you, the moonlight from the window catching the worry lines around her eyes. "Maybe she needs therapy? Or just time? I just... I don't want her throwing her future away."

You reached out, squeezing her hand. "We'll figure it out. Together." The words felt solid, reassuring. But beneath them, a knot of unease tightened in your gut. Kyler's confession about seeing Ava cry over medical bills, it cut deeper than the shoplifting. Had your sacrifices felt like burdens to your kids? "Just go to sleep and ease your mind baby."

Ava gives you a kiss and rolls over to sleep. You lie awake, staring at the ceiling fan's lazy rotation. The house settles into its nighttime creaks, the groan of old pipes, the hum of the refrigerator downstairs. But your mind won't quiet. Your family, the women, your life is so full of love and chaos.

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