Linda reached out and brushed a speck of dust off her adopted son.
"There's nothing good or bad about it. If you really let him go, he'll just starve to death. Might as well keep raising him. What do you expect from someone raised by island natives, anyway?"
"But—" James hadn't finished before she cut him off. "No 'buts.' This is my family's affair; it's none of your business. Besides, class is about to start, so hurry up and get your daughter to school."
James checked his watch and realized Linda was right—they were about to be late. He quickly took his daughter's hand and hurried her toward the school gate.
James watched his daughter walk into the school alongside the tall Sarin, a contented smile on his face. "I still remember what she looked like when she was born. It's hard to believe she's grown so much in what feels like no time at all."
This was a topic Linda clearly didn't want to discuss. She changed it immediately. "Where are you headed later?"
