Perhaps fearing that his outburst would upset Nathan further, my cousin dragged Rowan by the arm, hauling him out of the house. The door slammed shut behind them, cutting off the boy's faint cries of pain as the winter wind swallowed him.
***
The next morning was Rowan and Nathan's birthday. It should have been a day of joy, a double celebration of life. But when my cousin arrived at the door, bearing an extravagant cake and brightly wrapped gifts, only Nathan's name was on his lips.
Hana, noticing the absence of Rowan, furrowed her brows. "Where's Rowan? It's his birthday too. Why isn't he here?"
My cousin waved off her concern with a nonchalant chuckle, as though the question were absurd. "Oh, him? I broke his leg last night. He's still unconscious."
He delivered the news with such casual detachment that it took a moment for the weight of his words to sink in. Hana's eyes widened in horror. "You what?"
Ignoring her, my cousin strode inside and placed the cake and gifts on the table in front of Nathan, his face softening into an indulgent smile. "Nathan, my dear boy, today is your special day. I won't let anything ruin it for you."