Samantha sat perched on the windowsill, the only light in her apartment coming from the moon and the streetlights that flickered outside. She was lost in thought, unable to escape the memories of the night that had shattered her soul. Kayden Reeds, her boss, had forced himself onto her, leaving her a broken and empty shell of the woman she used to be. Her once-beautiful spirit was now withered and lifeless, and she couldn’t muster the strength to face him or the office again.
As she stared out into the darkness, she was suddenly jolted from her thoughts by the gentle touch of someone’s head on her lap. It was Andrew, her beloved brother, who had Down Syndrome. Despite his struggles, he brought Samantha more joy than anything else in her life. She tenderly ran her fingers through his hair, trying to force a smile onto her face.
“What’s wrong, Andrew?” she asked.
“Nothing,” he replied, his voice stuttering slightly. “I put a bouquet of flowers on the counter for you. I think your friend sent them.”