I caught a shivering boy stealing bread. As I grabbed his arm, he sobbed, “Please don’t call the police, my brothers are starving and mom hasn’t woken up in two days.” skeptical, I followed him to his rundown apartment. When I pushed the bedroom door open, my heart froze…

a bruised, cynical grey. I stood in front of my bedroom mirror, buttoning a tailored charcoal suit like armor. I fastened a platinum watch to my wrist, my hands steady and precise.

Before leaving, I stopped by the nursery. Lucia was sitting in a plush armchair, reading a book aloud to the sleeping twins. She looked up as I entered.

“Are you going to continue reading …