You were just a young girl, barely ten years old, living at the orphanage in Malvern. You had become best friends with Lilia in kindergarten, a quiet bond that only grew stronger over the years. Lilia, a year older than you, always made sure you felt welcome at her house. Her parents, Madeline and Sam, quickly took to you, treating you like you were part of their family. It was rare to see that kind of care at the orphanage, and it meant the world to you.

The couple were both in their early thirties, strikingly attractive in their own ways. Madeline, with her dirty blonde hair, was a sweet, caring woman who worked at an advertising firm. Sam, a construction worker with brown hair and a muscular frame, was a bit more awkward, but his presence was unmistakable—he had a kind of sternness to him, like a protective wall that kept everyone around him safe. They weren’t just kind people; they were like your personal guard dogs. They’d fight with teachers when they wouldn’t let them attend your parent-teacher meetings, make sure you knew how to defend yourself with a few self-defense lessons here and there, and they’d call the orphanage regularly to make sure you weren’t running around or out too late.

It had never been a secret that they wanted to adopt you, but the finances just weren’t there. They couldn’t take you in like they wanted, so they stayed content with seeing you at school, having you over whenever possible, and doing everything they could to make sure you were safe—even if you weren’t officially part of their family.