This morning, the tension within the Devano mansion reached a fever pitch. It wasn't due to a cyberattack or a high-stakes corporate betrayal, but rather the sight of Aletheia standing perfectly upright in the center of the family room, without holding onto a single thing. Her tiny hands were raised in the air to maintain balance, her face a mask of intense concentration.
Alaric, holding his cup of espresso, froze mid-sip. He didn't even dare to breathe, fearing that the slightest exhale might shatter his daughter's equilibrium.
"Anna... look," Alaric whispered in the lowest possible frequency, as if he were monitoring a high-value target during a black-ops mission.
Lucifer, already sporting his miniature running shoes, immediately took up a position about two meters in front of Theia. He knelt down, spreading his arms wide.
"Theia... come here! Brother's got you! "One... two... walk!" Lucifer cheered in a tone that was encouraging yet maintained his signature authority.
