A woman in her early fifties, with kind eyes and salt-and-pepper hair tied in a neat bun, stepped out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel.
The moment her gaze fell on Lilith—
"Oh, dear."
Lilith sighed, already regretting this.
Jack's mother, a doctor, immediately shifted into professional mode, assessing Lilith from head to toe.
"What happened to her?" she asked, moving closer.
"She was in the ocean all night, Mom. She swam all the way here."
The woman blinked in shock, then looked at Lilith again, as if confirming she was, in fact, real.
"You swam all night? In that cold water?"
Lilith shrugged, though exhaustion still clung to her limbs.
"It wasn't that bad."
Jack's mom gave her a sharp look. "Don't be ridiculous, young lady. You're lucky you're still standing!"
She quickly grabbed Jack's arm.
"Take her to the guest room. I'll get blankets and warm tea."
Jack nodded and helped Lilith down the hall.
