Chapter 4

I knew instantly—it was Donald, Rory's dad.

He was beating Rory with a broom, swinging like a maniac.

The neighbors didn't even blink. This wasn't new.

I sprinted over and grabbed the broom mid-swing. "He's a kid. You lay another hand on him, I'm calling the cops."

Rory looked up at me, eyes full of pain.

Donald sneered. "I'm his dad. It's family business. I feed him, raise him—why can't I smack him around?"

I pulled Rory to his feet.

My voice shook, but I held the line. "A doctor can list every bruise on him. That's enough to put you behind bars. If you won't take care of your son, then I will."

I turned to leave, guiding Rory with me.

Donald's face twisted.

"Rory, I raised you! You really walking out? Gonna let me rot? Fine—then you don't want this either?"

I turned back, frowning—

Donald stumbled out holding an urn. The photo on it was of a young woman who looked so much like Rory it punched the air out of me.

Rory panicked. "Give it back! You don't deserve to touch my mom's ashes!"

Crack!

The urn shattered. Ash exploded across the floor.

I froze.

Something in Rory broke.

"I'm gonna kill you!" He lunged, full feral, but Donald kicked him hard, sent him flying.

"You walk out and leave me to drown? You're going to Mr. Menzer. You're paying my debt."

Rory hit the ground, blood spilling from his mouth. Still, he crawled, hands trembling, trying to gather the ashes.

Then the wind came—and scattered what was left.

Rory hugged himself, shaking. The light in his eyes flickered out, one piece at a time.

My chest burned. "How much did you sell him for? I'll pay."

Donald looked me over, scoffing at my plain clothes. "Fifty grand. You got that?"

"I do."

I still had my old family house outside town—been in the family forever. Someone once offered me a hundred K for it when I was drowning. I didn't take it.

But houses? They're just walls.

The kid in front of me was alive.

Rory looked up, shattered and desperate.

Donald's eyes gleamed. "You pay, he's yours."

"Deal."

I called the buyer, signed the papers, wired the money. Just like that, Rory was mine.

Before he could even wrap his head around it, I grabbed his hand. "You're my kid now. Come on."

He stared at me, then just broke. First time he ever cried in front of me.

"Miss Murphy... Mom left. She said she'd get better, come back for me... but she didn't. That day, so many people came. All for her. But she never came home."

I pulled him close. "She didn't break her promise. She sent me."