The room was cold, lit only by the gray light pouring through the high windows. Aiden stood still, hands in his coat pockets, staring at the man kneeling before him.

The soldier's voice was quiet, afraid to speak. "We found him, sir... but we were too late."

Aiden didn’t move. The words hung heavy in the air like smoke. Too late.

The man placed something on the ground. A silver ring. Blood on the edge. Aiden recognized it instantly. His brother’s. The same one he'd worn when he left.

Beside the soldier, a little girl stood. Small. Pale. Holding a worn-out bunny in her arms.

Her eyes were red from crying. But she wasn’t crying now. She was staring at Aiden.

He didn’t speak. Didn’t blink.

The girl stepped forward, slowly, unsure. Then she hugged his leg tightly, pressing her face into his coat.

Aiden looked down.

The silver hair. The eyes. The way she held the toy.

She looked like her father. But her eyes were his.

His throat tightened, jaw locking.

"She’s all that’s left of him," he said softly.

The guards didn’t respond.

"Where did you find her?"

"Hidden in a cellar. She wouldn’t speak until she saw your photo," one guard whispered. "She thought you were him."

Aiden bent slightly, resting his hand on her small head.

She didn’t flinch.

"I told you to find my brother..." he whispered, voice hollow. "...and you brought me his heart instead."

She hugged tighter.

He didn’t push her away. Didn’t speak again.

He just stood there. Still. Silent.

Letting her hold what little warmth he had left.