quiet blueprint of happiness, two souls living in a house I had designed myself. Then Sophia entered our lives, bringing with her a

d. We were two incomplete halves finding a future together

ly with a gentle care that melted my heart, always making sure she was included in his games, alwa

e gathered our families for a small party in my backyard. Sophia cried, I smiled, and Lily

day, while packing up, Lily ran to me, her face pale. She led me to a hollowed-out log behind our campsite. Inside, laid out in a neat, disturbi

his collection,

found them and gave them a home." Sophia rushed to his defense, stroking his hair, telling me he was

pattern that spread across her small body. Doctors were baffled. No cream, no

would sit by her bed for hours, winding it up, letting the gentle melody fill the sterile hospital room. But I started to notice something else.

standing in the doorway. There were no tears in his eyes. There was only a quiet, unnerving stillness. In that moment, the horrib

ed my lungs, my heart, my will to live. The last thing I remembered was the sound of that infernal mu

. The scent of grilled burgers and fresh-cut grass filled the air. Laughter and cheerful

was smiling, her eyes b

ice full of love. "Yes,

The day before the nightmare started. And standing beside Soph