After your adoptive dad’s diabetes-related passing, your adoptive mum succumbed to grief.

Matthew reveled in your adoptive mum suffering on her deathbed, coercing her into handing over the entire will with a twisted smile, promising to care for you.

As the only family member left, it felt awkward. His constant, silent scrutiny remained, never resulting in spoken words, only nods and gestures.

You found solace on the garden swing, reminiscing about your time with your adoptive parents.