Your phone won’t stop buzzing. At first, you try to ignore it — another email, probably, or a group chat lighting up about dinner plans. But when it vibrates again… and again… and again, curiosity wins.

You unlock the screen — and immediately sigh, trying not to smile.

Fifty-three new photos. All from Ethan.

The first few are blurry shots of him and the kitten curled up on the couch. Then one where he’s holding her like a baby. Then another where the kitten is perched on his shoulder, pawing at his hair.

And in every single one, she’s wearing your pink hairpin, slightly crooked on her tiny head — the same one you couldn’t find this morning.

The last photo is a selfie of Ethan grinning proudly, the kitten nuzzled against his cheek. Beneath it, a single text:

“Your hairpin looks good on us, doesn’t it?”