*

und but never quite understood. Here, though, it felt like Maria and Ethan just... trusted her. Trusted that she would find her place on her own. They didn't seem worried about what she might be hiding or ho

han sat on the couch, watching a nature documentary. Nate was sprawled out on the floor beside his younger sister, Lucy, who was leaning over a half-completed puzzle, a look of intense concentr

Lucy asked, holdin

ure about letting herself get too close. She'd seen her share of families come and go, seen how connections could fray and fall apart. But toni

, sitting down next to Lucy. "Where does it

lest house ever," he announced, nudging her playfully as if they wer

ila all about her friends at school, her teacher's silly jokes, and her grand plan to convince her parents to get her a puppy. Nate interjected with playful jo

ced up, she noticed Maria watching them from the couch, her expression filled with gentle pride. Maria didn't say a word, but in her gaze,

t the "best house ever," while Nate leaned back, grinning. "Good work, team

alized she'd the kind that came without expectation or obligation, just warmth. Lying in bed that night, Lila couldn't shake the feeling that something was shifting inside her. She'd spent so long

-

fee and a plate of toast. The smell of fresh coffee mingled with the faint, homey scent of vanilla that

sliding the plate

or the first time in a long time, she felt no urge to fill it. It was a silence that felt ea

d, his voice low and steady. "We don't expect you to have everything fi

o tell her how she should feel, how she should behave. But Ethan wasn't pushing her, wasn't trying to ma

in her chest. She wasn't used to this-to people who s

eyes warm and steady. "We're so glad you're here, Lila," he said quietly. "We want yo

*

pcorn, inviting her to watch a movie, his easy humor melting her initial reluctance. Lucy began asking for "sleepovers" in her room, proudly introducing her stuffed a

looking in; she felt more like she was becoming part of a picture she hadn't realized she belonged in. One night, as she sat

her words simple but filled with warmth. "It feels

anywhere, let alone with people who felt like family. But as she looked around the room, the flickering glow of the television, Lucy

*

e Carters bit by bit. She talked about her favorite books, the few places she had lived, the things she loved, an

mes, the people who come into your life unexpectedly turn out

from place to place, never truly belonging. But here, in this house filled with kindness and understanding, she felt

pered to herself the word she had been