sia

re glittering, cold circle on every social media platform, methodically muting keywords and blo

friend's profile. The message was a single image: her hand, resting on Caden's, a massive, canary yello

like looking at a picture of two strangers. I took a screenshot, clini

ambino from next door brought over a lasagna, her eyes full of a

Poking around, asking where you were. I told him to get lost." She made a spi

hing a piece of pa

ued softly, "'My Ally deserves better than a ki

d," I admitted, the w

ied, her hand covering mine. "The wor

were on a swing set in a park. He was pushing me gently, his voi

hands on my back. The dream hadn't been a comfort; it had been

in my mother's junk drawer, my fingers brushed a

rior. For Caesar,

otes were clear: "Recommended muzzle for public walks and immediate behavioral c

she lied. And Caden... he either believed her lie

ng. A number I didn't

th frustration. "We need to talk about your mother's estate.

I said, my voice flat. "A

don't have it?" he dem

kept better track of y

inal piece of the puzzle, clicking into place. It confirmed everyth

een crystallizing into a firm de