Chapter 9. Unfolding Glance

I usually wake up to the gentle rays of the sun, but today was different. Instead, I felt the tiny fingers of my nephew, Gabriel, playfully pinching and prodding my nose and cheeks, as if trying to wake me up with sheer determination.

"Good morning, sunshine. I bet you like playing with my face, huh? Don't you?" I said, my voice still laced with drowsiness. The sight of Gabriel's mischievous grin filled me with warmth, and I couldn't help but smile.

His energy was infectious, and before I knew it, he was bouncing on the bed with unbridled excitement. I laughed and ruffled his hair, knowing that there was no way I could stay in bed any longer with this little ball of joy around.

"All right, all right," I said playfully, sitting up and stretching my arms. "Time to get up and start the day!"

I checked the clock on the side table, and it confirmed that it was seven in the morning. As I reached for my phone, my heart sk