SHADOW OF A RECLUSE

By Tessa Harvey 


    "Listen up, little brother!" We can let you stay a week until the sale of this property goes through. Please keep it tidy, Tarrant, if possible."
    The toddler, Robin, started crying. Bewildered, Tarrant reached for him. "He doesn't know you," Sylvie said, picking the child up.     
    There were tears in her eyes. "Sorry, Tarrant, but I am going back to Hunter. You were not here. There was never enough money."
    Hunter hustled her out of the room. The two older children were instructed to pick up their bags. Johan was crying sadly, nose running. He came over to Tarrant. "Dad, I want to stay with you." Big tears rolled down his small face. "Last time I saw you, you cuddled me and said you loved me. You would work hard and maybe get a puppy." Anneke held her little brother's hand, looking into his eyes. "Get us back, daddy, please," were her last words as Hunter angrily came to fetch them away.

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