The cemetery gates stood tall as Dylan parked the car. Gray skies loomed, and Kyle sat beside him in silence, his young face unreadable. But Dylan could feel the grief.
Ethan’s last words echoed in his mind: “You never cared about family. But please… visit Kyle at the orphanage. It’s the least you can do.”
Dylan hadn’t been there when Ethan’s wife walked out, leaving him sick and raising Kyle alone. He’d stayed away, avoiding pain and responsibility. But when Ethan died, the guilt became unbearable.
Dylan changed. He got a steady job and visited Kyle. At first, it was awkward. But slowly, a bond formed. Dylan realized he didn’t want to just visit—he wanted to be a father. He fought for custody and won.
One year later, they stood at Ethan’s grave. Kyle handed him a letter Ethan wrote: “If Kyle gave you this, then my hope was right. Thank you, brother.”
With trembling hands, Dylan promised to love and protect Kyle forever.
Back at their favorite pizza place, Dylan smiled as Kyle laughed.
He wasn’t doing this to fix the past anymore.
He was building something new—something Ethan always wanted.