Sophia’s P.O.V

The next evening, Nathan and I sat down with the kids in the living room, trying to finally address the tension that had been building for weeks. I looked at Sara and Tara, who were sitting stiffly on the couch, arms crossed.

“Girls,” I began gently, “we need to talk about what’s been happening. About how you’ve been treating your brother, Emanuel.”

Sara’s eyes narrowed immediately. “He’s not our brother,” she said flatly, as if that ...