Lily knelt quickly, trying to gather the glass pieces before Oliver could reach them. A small cut opened on her palm, and blood dotted the white tile.
“I’m sorry,” Lily whispered. “I’ll clean it up.”
Caroline scoffed loudly.
“Clean it up? You’re completely useless.”
Without warning, she grabbed Lily’s arm and yanked her upright. The glass scattered again across the floor.
Oliver cried harder.
“Take that noisy brat,” Caroline snapped, shoving the baby roughly into Lily’s arms.
Before Lily could steady herself, Caroline dragged them through the back door.
“Please… we’ll be quiet,” Lily pleaded.
But Caroline ignored her.
She marched across the yard and shoved the children into the old doghouse near the fence. The wooden door slammed shut behind them, and the latch clicked.
Inside it was dark and cold.
Oliver’s cries echoed in the small space.
Lily wrapped her arms around him, rocking gently.
“Shhh… it’s okay,” she whispered through her tears. “I’m here.”
Outside, Caroline’s voice dripped with cruel amusement.
“Maybe now you’ll learn how to behave.”
Then her footsteps disappeared.
Later that afternoon, the tall iron gate at the front of the property opened again.