She stepped closer.

“Maybe we should’ve made sure she never woke up.”

Something metallic moved.

Cold.

“Put it down,” Ms. Parker said.

Then Ethan spoke.

“Aunt Claire… you said that before.”

Silence shattered.

“What?” Ryan snapped.

“I heard you,” Ethan said.
“You said Mom wouldn’t sign. And one curve would fix everything.”

Claire cursed.

“Be quiet.”

But Ethan kept going.

“You said you’d tell everyone she was tired… then take me away.”

Ryan stepped toward him.

“Come here.”

“Don’t touch him,” Ms. Parker said.

I tried to move.

To scream.

To protect him.

This time—

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