In her office, Karen opened a thick file and said, “They’re good kids. They’ve been through a lot.”
She read their names aloud: Owen, nine. Tessa, seven. Cole, five. Ruby, three.
“Their parents died in a car accident,” she said quietly. “No family could take all four. They’re in temporary care now.”
“So what happens if no one takes all four?” I asked.
She sighed. “Then they’ll be placed separately. Most families can’t take that many children at once.”
I stared at the file.
“I’ll take all four,” I said.
She looked up sharply. “All four?”
“Yes. I know there’s a process. I’m not saying tomorrow. But if the only reason they’re being split up is because nobody wants four kids… I do.”
She studied me. “Why?”
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