KATE stood quietly at the door to her baby brother’s room, watching the small figure on the bed breathe softly. King had finally fallen asleep, clutching his little teddy bear close to his chest. As usual, before drifting off, he had asked, “When are Mommy and Daddy coming back?”

And like every other night since the incident, she had whispered, “Soon,” before kissing his forehead and pulling the blanket up to his chin.

With a tired sigh, she slowly turned the doorknob and stepped out, gently closing the door behind her. The hallway was dimly lit, casting shadows along the cream-colored walls. As she made her way toward the living...