Chapter 3: The System
Morning arrived quietly in Lucas Bennett’s penthouse.
No sirens. No chaos. Just sunlight sliding across marble floors and four girls sleeping in unfamiliar beds like they were afraid the beds might change their minds.
Lucas hadn’t slept.
He stood in front of the glass wall, watching Manhattan wake up beneath him, his reflection layered over the city like a ghost.
Daniel entered.
“They’re still asleep,” Daniel said.
Lucas nodded. “Good.”
Then his phone rang.
Child Services.
He answered immediately.
A woman’s voice, professional and distant.
“We’ve reviewed the case of Emma, Rose, Lily, and Hannah Carter. We understand they’re currently with you.”
“Yes,” Lucas said.
A pause.
“They must be placed into temporary foster care immediately. We’ll arrange separation based on availability.”
Lucas turned slightly.
“Separation?” he repeated.
“It’s standard procedure.”
Something cold settled in his chest.
“No,” Lucas said.
Another pause—this one different.
“Sir?”
“You heard me.”
The voice hardened. “Mr. Bennett, you are not a guardian. You cannot—
“I’m aware,” Lucas interrupted. “But you also cannot split them.”
“They are minors requiring placement.”
“They are siblings,” Lucas said sharply. “And they’ve already lost everything else.”
Silence.
Then the bureaucratic voice returned.
“We’ll note your concerns.”
And the line went dead.
Lucas lowered the phone slowly.
Behind him, a small voice spoke.
“You’re angry.”
He turned.
Emma stood in the hallway, barefoot, wrapped in a blanket.
Lucas softened immediately. “Did I wake you?”
“No,” she said. “We don’t sleep much.”
That sentence again.
Like pain turned into routine.
Lucas crouched.
“I tried to stop them,” he said.
Emma studied him. “And?”
“They didn’t listen.”
Emma nodded once, as if confirming something she already knew.
“No one listens,” she said.
That was when Lucas understood.
May you like
This wasn’t just about shelter.
It was about a system that had already taught them their place in it.
