Morning still had its teeth in the windows. The house steamed against it—kettle hiss, heater hum, the quiet clink of bowls as Sebastian set them down harder than he meant to. The suspension notice lay open on the table like a stain.“Two weeks,” Sebastian said, lavender tightening until it pressed against the walls. He didn’t sit. He stood over them—Caleb and Camden in their kitchen chairs, knees wide, trying to look like trouble didn’t stick. “When your father comes home, do I tell him, or do you want that honor?”Peppermint spiked, quick and defensive. Caleb laced his fingers like he’d learned to pray overnight. “We—”“You fought.” Sebastian’s palm flattened the paper. Crisp. Final. “First day.”Camden tried that saint-face. Spearmint rolled low, a steadying weather front. “We did the public a service.”“Public service,” Ezren echoed from the doorway, gleeful, milk-sweet, and seven. Zara leaned over his shoulder, conspirator-general. “Suspended!” she sang. “Sus-pen-ded.”“Out.” Lav
Last Updated : 2025-09-09 Read more