Lily’s fingers moved carefully, following Shirley’s demonstration of the complex sign.
“Excellent,” Shirley praised with a nod. “Your progress is remarkable, Lily. Soon you’ll be able to express yourself without that notebook.”
Lily smiled, pride warming her chest. Her hands had grown more confident in the past few days, though she still kept her notebook close. A security blanket she wasn’t ready to abandon.
Shirley adjusted her glasses. “Now, let’s try something more challenging. How would you sign—”
A sharp knock interrupted her. The door swung open before either could respond, revealing Ezra’s tense face. His usual stoic appearance was nowhere to be found. He looked disheveled—shirt wrinkled, hair uncombed.
“Excuse the interruption,” he said, not sounding apologetic at all. His eyes locked on Lily. “I need to speak with you. Privately.”
Lily exchanged a glance with Shirley, who seemed to sense the urgency.
