Ashton sat cross-legged on his bed, the faint light from his desk lamp casting long shadows on the walls of his room. His small hands fiddled with the edge of his blanket, his thoughts running wild. His friend's words from school kept echoing in his mind.
"You'll get a sibling soon, and then your parents won't care about you anymore."
His chest tightened as he imagined it. He pictured his father holding a tiny baby in his arms, his face beaming with pride. Delphinia stood beside him, her hands gently stroking the baby's head. Around them, his grandparents showered the little one with love, their laughter echoing. Even Uncle Julian, who often teased Ashton, looked at the baby with adoration.
Ashton swallowed hard, his throat feeling dry. Would they all forget about me? he thought. His feet dangled off the edge of the bed, and he kicked the air absentmindedly, trying to push the unwelcome thoughts away.
