Chapter 3: Aaron's Last Gift
Child Protective Services arrived at the hospital the next morning.
Peter expected questions.
Paperwork.
Delays.
Instead, he found Drew sitting quietly beside Lily's bed, coloring with broken crayons a nurse had found.
Lily smiled for the first time.
A tiny smile.
But it changed the room.
Caseworker Emily Rhodes sat beside Peter.
"We've reviewed the evidence."
She slid a folder across the table.
"The videos."
"The medical reports."
"The messages."
"There will be criminal charges."
Peter nodded silently.
Then Emily asked,
"Is there any family willing to take the children?"
Peter didn't hesitate.
"Me."
Emily smiled gently.
"I thought you'd say that."
She handed him another document.
"There is one more thing."
Inside was Aaron's old will.
Peter frowned.
"I've never seen this."
"Aaron updated it six months before he died."
Peter unfolded the yellowed pages.
His hands began to shake.
If anything ever happens to me... and my children are ever found to be unsafe... I want my brother Peter Calder to become their legal guardian immediately.
Peter couldn't read anymore.
His vision blurred.
Aaron had known.
Not about Reena.
But about Peter.
He had trusted him.
Completely.
Peter quietly folded the letter.
"I won't fail you."
That evening, Drew looked toward Peter.
"Can we stay with you?"
Peter smiled through tears.
"As long as you want."
Drew thought carefully.
"Forever?"
Peter pulled both children into his arms.
May you like
"If forever is what you want..."
"Forever it is."
