"I want my sister! I want her back! Give her back to me!"
He screamed until his voice went raw, and Mom locked him in his room.
Chloe started to say something, but the moment she saw Dad, she retreated to her room instead.
"The kids are really upset," Dad said. "Maybe we should bring Lily back?"
Mom pursed her lips.
"I'm teaching them a lesson. Ethan's how old, and he's already making decisions on his own—treating classmates to meals without asking? You can tell what a kid'll be like at three. Who knows what he'll pull when he's older."
She waved her hand. "Fine. Let them cry for a few more days, then I'll say I'm bringing Lily home."
The next morning, both Ethan and Chloe stayed locked in their rooms. Mom didn't seem to care.
She went to the farmers' market like it was any other day.
When she passed an old, rundown apartment building, I felt a jolt of recognition.
"Mom, I'm right behind it! Mom!"
She kept walking without a glance.
"Woof! Woof woof woof!"
A German Shepherd barked relentlessly at something in the distance.
Mom shot it a disgusted look and stepped around it.