Chapter 55

"Are they fighting again?" The innocent voice of the five-year-old pierced through the hall, causing the eleven-year-old to startle. He turned around abruptly, his heart pounding with a mixture of surprise and concern. There, at the end of the dimly lit hallway, stood his younger brother, clutching a big fluffy teddy-bear tightly against his chest. It was the same toy he had cried for incessantly just three days’ prior.

The eleven-year-old's gaze softened as he took in the sight of his little brother, a pang of protectiveness welling up within him.

Severin wiped his teary cheeks with the back of his trembling hand, the tracks of tears leaving glistening trails on his flushed cheeks. He gathered his composure and took a deep, shuddering breath to steady himself before mustering the strength to approach his little brother.

Kneeling beside him, Severin reached out a trembling hand, hesitating for a moment before gently resting it on his brother's shoulder. His touch w