The morning light filtered through the curtains as Alistair sat in the living room, staring blankly at the cup of coffee in his hands. The reality of the day weighed heavily on his chest. Today was the day Sam would be taken to her next foster family. Even though they had been assured she would be back in a week, the thought of her absence was unbearable.
Riley entered the room quietly, her face pale, eyes swollen from crying. She had barely slept the night before, lying awake thinking about how different the house would feel without Sam’s tiny giggles and coos.
“She’s still sleeping,” Riley murmured as she sat next to Alistair. “I don’t know how I’m supposed to do this.”
Alistair sighed, placing his coffee on the table. “I don’t either,” he admitted. “But we have to stay strong, for he
