A Broken Vow to Forever

PROLOGUE

Growing up, I had everything. I never wished for anything else on my birthday since he came into my life when I was seven years old, except that I hoped God would give him to me.

In my mind, as I grew older, I thought life would be so wonderful if I could be with him until old age. Sharing meals, visiting beautiful places together, sharing in joy and tears.

I never expected my wish would come true.

Ten years ago, my Mom and Dad entered the house holding two boys I knew very well. But unlike our usual meetings, something was different about their aura and appearance.

Grief, Madness, and Sadness—those were the first things I noticed in the eyes of Colt Astor, the older of the Astor brothers, who was three years older than me.

But in the eyes of the younger Astor, Dino Astor—I saw nothing but Anger and Darkness.

The seven-year-old me would have been scared by how cold he looked, like a walking corpse. But I’m not like other kids. I am Mary Pauleen Darling, the only child and heir of the Darling family.

The seven-year-old me was excited about what my family’s name had in store for me.

“Pauleen—” Mom knelt down in front of me as I stand frozen.

I knew it was still late at night, the rain was pouring hard outside, with thunder rumbling. That’s why I woke up from my sleep.

I looked at Mom, and even at Dad. His eyes were bloodshot, and it seemed like he couldn’t hide his emotions. It was the first time I saw Dad looking so human—human because it turns out he has emotions, like crying. I didn’t often see Dad like that.

The same was true for Mom, although she’s a bit emotional at times, especially when watching her favorite romance movies.

But something in my young self felt like something was about to change that rainy night.

“You know Colt and Dino, don’t you?” Mom asked.

I looked at Colt and Dino, standing emotionless with Dad. They were both still in their pajamas, as if they’d just woken up too. But I noticed some holes and black dirt on their clothes, as well as a few scratches on their bodies.

Mom held my face to shift my attention back to her, and I nodded while hugging my teddy bear tightly.

“They’re going to live with us from now on—” Mom’s voice broke, and Dad immediately hugged her.

Dad looked at me, extended his hand to me, and then to Dino and Colt. He held all of our hands together, even though his were shaking. His hands were bloodied too. “From now on, the three of you will be siblings. Nothing will change, nothing will be different,” Dad said.

Colt cried. But Dino remained frozen, staring straight at me. And all I could do when I heard those words was smile at him with my toothy grin. At last, my wish to be with him every day for the rest of my life had come true.