Chapter 43

• Darius :-)
• I watched Cyrus from the doorway as he got ready for work, buttoning up his crisp white shirt and adjusting his hoodie, well my hoodie. He looked so mature and put-together, a stark contrast from the past few days when he had been deep in his little space—soft, cuddly, and dependent on me for everything.
• Part of me missed it. I loved taking care of him, watching his face light up when I brought him his favorite snacks, or the way he’d sleepily cling to Jayjay during naps. But I also admired this version of him—the confident, hardworking man who took on the world with grace and determination.