Golden morning sunlight poured through the tall glass windows of the quiet countryside cottage, washing over the dark wood floorboards and chasing away the cold shadows of the night before. Outside, the thick pine trees swayed gently in the morning breeze, and birds sang a cheerful song in the clear blue sky.

Downstairs in the cozy guest room, little Lily slept peacefully under a pile of warm blankets. Her safe, steady breathing was the sweetest sound in the world. Silas sat in a comfortable armchair right beside her bed, reading a small book while keeping a watchful eye on her door. He had stayed awake most of the night making...