Chapter 11 - The Shattered Vase
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A week passed, and the glass fortress slowly began to change.
David had immediately gone on a massive shopping spree, filling June’s sterile bedroom with toys, books, colorful rugs, and a wardrobe that actually fit her. Nathan had hired a child psychologist to help them navigate June’s transition, learning exactly how deeply the foster system had scarred her.
Despite the love pouring into her, June’s survival instincts remained sharply honed. She walked softly, spoke quietly, and constantly sought permission to exist in the space.
It was a Tuesday afternoon when the illusion of safety shattered.
Nathan was in his home office, finalizing a few critical logistics contracts over the phone, when a loud, terrible crash echoed from the main hallway.
He dropped the phone and sprinted out of the office.
In the center of the hallway, a massive, antique Ming dynasty vase—worth roughly sixty thousand dollars—lay in a thousand shattered pieces across the hardwood floor.
June stood in the center of the wreckage. She held a tennis ball in her hand, her face completely drained of blood. She looked absolutely, mind-numbingly terrified.
"June?" Nathan asked softly, stepping forward.
June didn't answer. She didn't cry. She spun around and sprinted up the grand staircase as fast as her legs could carry her.
Nathan didn't care about the vase. He carefully stepped over the jagged porcelain and hurried up the stairs after her.
When he reached her bedroom, the door was wide open. June wasn't hiding under the bed or in the closet.
She was standing by the door, wearing her oversized blue coat, holding a small, plastic grocery bag packed with a few items of clothing. She had packed her bags.
"June, what are you doing?" Nathan asked, his heart breaking in half at the sight of her standing there, waiting to be discarded.
"I broke it," June whispered, her entire body shaking violently. "I threw the ball too hard and it bounced wrong. I know the rules. I broke it, so I have to leave. You can call the caseworker. I have my things."
She had already accepted her fate. In her world, a broken vase meant a broken home. You make a mistake, you pack your bags, and you move to the next house.
"Put the bag down, June," Nathan said, stepping into the room.
May you like
June shook her head, a tear finally escaping her eye. "I'm sorry. I tried to be easy. I promise I tried."
"June, look at me," Nathan commanded, his voice firm but overflowing with love. He walked across the room, completely ignoring her attempt to leave, and knelt in front of her.
