he twilight air, leaving me standing alone in the driveway. Their decision was clear, their prio

my own home, to my own family? The answer was simple. It ch

puppies, immediately shifted their focus. Ethan was fair-skinned, with soft features and a quiet voice that seemed to evoke all their maternal and protective

ather, Mr. Davis, tried to pull him away, apologizing for the intrusion. But Ethan resisted, and in the scuffle, he stumbled backwar

as off-balance. He stumbled and hit his head on the corner of a ma

kin, asking if I was okay. But Sarah, Chloe, and Emily ignored me comple

n be remade; Ethan didn't do it on purpose!" Sar

ause it's your birthday?" Chlo

chasm opened between us. They grew more distant, their time and affection

ch stand. A trophy from their day of betrayal. Without a second thought, I picked it up and walked over to

like this unwanted gift

ic beep of the heart monitor was the only sound in the dimly li

them to come, not really. But a small, foolish part of me had held out hope. Seeing the em

was a picture of him from last summer's barbeque, a big, genuine smile on his face. On e

sacrificed themselves to ensure he and the vital intelligence he carried made it back across the border. The guilt had haunted him ever

e kid, I never held it against him. I cared for them like an older brother, shielded them, and made sure they never suffered. I genuinely loved each of them, and for ye

one of them, but his beloved adopted daughters had no i

, my phone buzzed with a news alert. It was a

t. All residents are advised to avoid forests, mountains, r

he sunrise viewing spot was halfway up a steep, tr

-