A SHADOW AT THE GATES.
Nathan's POV.
The next morning started out much better than I expected because I stood by the long kitchen counter watching Emma help Pearl and Gina pack their matching schoolbags, and the soft sound of the girls laughing together over a drawing of a funny dog made my usual harsh mood soften into something that felt like genuine, deep love for this family. Emma looked up at me with a bright smile as she handed Gina a small juice box, her face looking completely relaxed for the first time in weeks, and I stepped over to wrap my arms around her waist from behind, leaning down to give her a quick kiss on the cheek while the two girls carried their bags toward the front door where my main driver was already waiting to take them to their morning classes.
"They look
