Evening had fallen gently.
Soft orange hues streamed through Olivia's window as the sky dimmed. The living room felt warm and serene. Eliana sat on Hunter’s lap, giggling at a funny story he was telling. With quiet patience, Hunter fixed the little girl’s bangs and ran his fingers through her hair.
But in the hallway, someone stood frozen—watching the scene unfold with a heart tightening in silence.
Joe.
The teenage boy bit his lip, his eyes burning with unspoken fury. The interaction before him felt like someone stealing his family away. Hunter. Eliana. Olivia. Their laughter—it felt like a cruel joke.
“I’m nobody in this house anymore…” he whispered bitterly.
He turned around, dashed upstairs, and slammed the door. No one noticed he was gone.
---
Nightfall came quickly.
Warm lig
