Aiden's POV The school nurse’s office smells like cheap antiseptic. Lily is limp in my arms, her body burning hot, while the nurse speaks to me.“She threw up twice in class, Aiden. Temperature, 101.8. But honestly…” She lowers her voice, glancing at the sleeping child. “She’s down another four pounds since the spring screening. That puts her in the fifth percentile for an eight-year-old. She’s malnourished. I’m required to file a report if there’s no improvement by next month.”Her words hit like a punch to my chest.I nod once, my jaw locked so tight it ached. “Thank you for telling me.”I carry Lily the eight blocks home because the bus takes too long and I need the air to calm me down. She weighs almost nothing, and even that makes my heart break.'I love her more than the whole sky,' I think to myself. I will burn the world down before I let it keep hurting you.*...*...*...*...*...*...*...The apartment reeked of stale beer before I could even get the key in the lock.I step in
Last Updated : 2025-11-28 Read more