I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.
Anna’s cheeks flushed pink, her eyes widening like she knew she’d revealed a forbidden secret. Before I could reach for her, she spun on her heel, clutching the picture so tight it crumpled in her fists.
“Anna, wait—” I called, but she bolted down the hall. A second later, her bedroom door slammed shut, the sound echoing through the house.
And then silence.
I stood frozen in the kitchen, my pulse roaring in my ears. The hum of the refrigerator was the only sound, a low drone against the suffocating quiet.
The night after Anna showed me the drawing, I barely slept. Her words echoed in my head like a curse: “Daddy said you’re not supposed to know… he’s my brother.”
I lay in the dark, staring at the ceiling, every creak of the house setting my nerves on edge. Beside me, Mark slept peacefully, his breathing deep and steady, like nothing had changed. How could he sleep while I felt like my entire world was cracking beneath me?
By morning, I’d made my decision.
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