After losing the court case, Sarah, with her daughter in tears, trudged toward the last train. A cold wind swept scraps of paper across the platform, and a lump lodged in her throat. Sarah clutched a suitcase in one hand and tightly held Emily’s small hand in the other.

The ten-year-old girl walked beside her, her blonde hair escaping from under her cap, her cheeks red from tears and the wind.

“Mom, did Dad really abandon us?” Emily asked, looking up at her. Her voice trembled, but it held more confusion than fear.

Sarah swallowed, struggling to find words. “He… made his choice, sweetheart.”

Emily frowned and kicked a pebble on the platform. “I don’t want to see him anymore. He promised me a dog, and now…” She trailed off, burying her face in her mom’s side.

Suddenly, a small, dirty hand grabbed Sarah’s coat. She flinched and looked down.

At her feet stood a boy, about five years old, ragged, with a dirt-streaked face and large brown eyes. He shivered, clutching her bag.

Emily immediately straightened, forgetting her tears. “Mom, who’s this? Is he lost?” She bent down, studying him curiously. “Like that kitten we found by the apartment?”

“I don’t know,” Sarah whispered, still stunned. The boy looked up and said softly, “Don’t send me away.”

Emily firmly squeezed her mom’s hand. “We won’t send him away! We have to help him, Mom!”…Sarah sat at a long, cracked table in the stuffy courtroom, her fingers clenched on her lap so tightly that her nails dug into her skin. Before her, the judge in a black robe, dry and impassive, had processed hundreds of such cases. Across from her sat James, calm and composed, as if at a business meeting. His gray eyes showed nothing.

The judge looked up and spoke in an even tone: “The jointly acquired property shall be divided as follows. The car and the vacation home remain with the defendant, as they were purchased by his parents. The apartment goes to the defendant. The plaintiff receives personal belongings, the television, and the refrigerator. Custody of the minor child is awarded to the plaintiff.”

Sarah glanced at James. He didn’t flinch or object. The judge continued, but she stopped listening. A ringing filled her ears.

Twelve years of marriage, and this was the result: indifferent paperwork, a signature relinquishing their daughter. James signed the documents without hesitation.

“Done?” he asked, as if wrapping up a deal.

“Court is adjourned,” the judge nodded.

Sarah stood with difficulty, her legs heavy as lead. Her friend Lisa grabbed her arm. “Come on, Sarah!” Emily stood nearby, clutching her mom’s hand and glaring at her father with hurt.

“Dad, are you really leaving us?” she asked quietly, but James didn’t even glance her way…At the suburban train station, the air smelled of coffee and dampness. Sarah stood at the ticket counter, gripping a worn bag and Emily’s hand. The girl swiveled her head, watching hurried people and flashing departure boards. The last train to the countryside left in forty minutes.

“Mom, will it be warm where we’re going?” Emily asked, bouncing to stay warm. “And are there dogs?”

Sarah managed a faint smile, stroking her head. “It’ll be warm, I promise. We’ll ask Aunt Nancy about dogs.”

Emily nodded but added, “I don’t want Dad to find us. He’s a stranger now.” Her voice softened, and her fingers tightened around her mom’s hand.

Sarah knelt, looking into her eyes. “He won’t find us, sweetheart. We’re starting fresh.”

Emily thought for a moment, then said, “Then I’ll draw our new house. With dogs and a garden!” She reached for her backpack to grab pencils, but Sarah gently stopped her. “Let’s get there first, my little artist.”

The train swayed rhythmically, lulling passengers with the clack of wheels. Sarah sat by the window, staring at the dark silhouettes of trees flashing by. Emily settled beside her but, instead of sleeping, swung her legs and tugged at her scarf.

“Mom, have you ever been on a train far, far away?” she asked, eyes wide.

“Yes, a long time ago, when I was little like you,” Sarah replied, pulling herself from her thoughts.

Emily pondered. “I want to go where there’s an ocean. Dad promised, but…” She frowned, trailing off, and leaned into her mom. “Will you take me there?”

Sarah hugged her, feeling her tremble. “We’ll go, I promise. We’ll see the ocean.”

Emily smiled but yawned. “Then I’ll draw the ocean. And us.” She curled up on the seat, tucking a hand under her cheek, and soon her breathing steadied—she was asleep.

The station greeted them with an empty platform and a cold breeze. Sarah hefted the suitcase, while Emily shuffled sleepily, pulling her jacket sleeves over her frozen hands.

“Mom, is it far?” she mumbled, yawning…“Not far, honey. We’ll get a ride soon,” Sarah replied, calling a cab.

An old pickup pulled up to the platform, and the driver, Uncle Bob, recognized Sarah instantly. “Hey, girl! Aunt Nancy’s got the house warmed up, waiting for you.” He helped load the suitcase, and Emily climbed into the cab, snuggling against her mom.

On the drive, Emily dozed off, and Sarah gazed out at the dark fields and sparse streetlights. She was returning to where she grew up, a small rural cabin left by her parents.

The old gate creaked as Sarah pushed it open. The yard met them with cold silence and the smell of damp firewood. Emily perked up, spotting smoke from the chimney. “It smells like pie!” she exclaimed, tugging her mom toward the porch.

Aunt Nancy flung open the door, hugged Sarah, and gasped when she saw Emily. “Oh, my girl, you’ve grown! Come here, let me hug you!” Emily ran to her, giggling.

Inside, it was warm, smelling of potatoes and milk. Emily was shrugging off her jacket when Sarah felt something tug at her coat. She looked down—a dirty, shivering boy clung to her bag.

Emily froze, staring at him. “Mom, who’s that?” she asked, stepping closer. “He’s cold! Is he lost?”

“Don’t send me away,” the boy whispered.

Emily turned to her mom. “We’re not sending him away, right? He’s like a little brother!” She knelt beside him and said, “I’m Emily. What’s your name?”

“Tyler,” he replied softly, looking at her with surprise.

Sarah crouched before the boy. “Are you alone? Where’s your mom?”

“I don’t have a mom,” he said, swallowing hard. “I was on a train. The lady said we were going on a trip, but she left to get lemonade and didn’t come back.”

Emily gasped. “Was her name Aunt Nancy?”

“No, Karen,” he shook his head…Sarah sighed. “First, eat something, Tyler, then we’ll figure it out.” She handed him a spoon, and he eagerly dug into the potatoes. Emily sat beside him, watching.

“He’s hungry,” she whispered to her mom. “Like that kitten we fed.”

Sarah tucked Emily into bed, but the girl clung to her hand. “Mom, will Tyler stay with us?” she asked, glancing at the boy, who was given a blanket nearby.

“For now, sweetheart,” Sarah replied, stroking her hair.

Emily smiled. “Good. He’s nice. I’ll show him my backpack tomorrow—it’s got pencils and a book about cats.”

Tyler, lying under the blanket, suddenly said, “Thank you.” Emily turned to him. “Sleep, Tyler. Tomorrow’ll be fun!”

When Sarah stepped into the kitchen, Aunt Nancy shook her head. “Emily’s already found herself a brother. You sure you want to take him on, Sarah?”

Sarah nodded. “Emily’s right—we can’t leave him.”

Nancy set a cup of tea before her. “Tell me how he showed up.”

“He grabbed my suitcase like it was a lifeline,” Sarah shrugged. “Said his nanny took him on a trip and ditched him.”

Nancy frowned. “That’s suspicious.”

In the morning, Sarah woke to rustling. Tyler sat on the edge of the bed, wrapped in a blanket, staring out the window. Emily was already up, tugging his sleeve. “Tyler, get up! I’ll show you my pencils!”

He turned. “I was scared I’d be left again,” he admitted quietly to Sarah.

Emily chimed in, “We won’t leave you! Right, Mom?”

Sarah took his hand. “We won’t, Tyler.”..At breakfast, Emily piled pancakes onto his plate. “Eat more, you’re skinny!” she declared, then started doodling a house with a dog on a napkin.

After breakfast, Sarah asked, “Tyler, tell me about your parents.”

“I only have a dad,” he said, looking down. “Don’t remember my mom. Dad’s in the city, rich, but he doesn’t want me.”

Emily stared. “How could he not want you? You’re awesome!”

Sarah frowned. “What’s your dad’s name?”

“Robert Michael Carson,” Tyler said softly.

Sarah opened her laptop and typed the name. Articles popped up: “Owner of a fast-food chain.” She looked at Tyler. “This your dad?”

He nodded. “He’s got the same burger picture in his office.”

Emily pointed at the screen. “He’s rich! Why isn’t he looking for you?”

Sarah sent an email through the company’s website: “Hello. I have your son. He got lost a few days ago but is safe and healthy. Please contact me.” She attached Tyler’s photo and hit send.

Two hours later, the phone rang. “Where is he?” a hoarse voice demanded.

“Are you Robert Carson?” Sarah asked.

“Where’s my son?”

“With me, safe.”

A relieved exhale came through the line. “I’m coming.”

That evening, a black SUV pulled up to the house. Robert Carson stepped out—tall, in a dark coat, face tense. Emily peeked from behind her mom. “Is that his dad?” she whispered.

Tyler stepped forward. “Dad?”

Robert dropped to his knees and hugged his son. “Tyler, buddy.”

Emily tugged Sarah’s sleeve. “He loves him, right?”

Sarah nodded, watching Robert hold his son tightly.

Inside, Robert kept Tyler’s hand in his. Sarah set a cup of tea before him. “How’d you lose him?”

“I was on a business trip,” he said hoarsely. “Thought he was with the nanny. Then they called—he was gone. Karen vanished. With money.”

Emily scowled. “She’s awful!”

Robert clenched his jaw. “I’ll find her.” He looked at Sarah. “Thank you for saving my son.”

“I couldn’t leave him,” she shrugged.

Tyler suddenly said, “Dad, I don’t want to go home.”

Robert frowned. “Why?”..“I don’t want to be alone,” Tyler said, looking at Sarah. “I want to stay with Aunt Sarah and Emily.”

Emily clapped excitedly. “You’ll be my brother!”

Robert turned to Sarah. “He’s attached to you. I can’t force him. Will you come with us?”

Sarah froze. Emily ran to her. “Mom, say yes! We’ll all be together!”

Sarah took a deep breath. “Okay. I’ll come.”

Early the next morning, they headed to the airport. Emily held Tyler’s hand the whole way, chattering about dogs and the ocean. On the plane, she pressed against the window. “Mom, we’re flying like birds!”

Robert’s house was massive, with high ceilings and plush carpets. Emily raced inside, shouting, “This is like a castle! Where’s my room?” She grabbed Tyler’s hand. “Come on, let’s find windows like princesses have!”

Robert smiled. “Welcome home.”

A month later, Emily and Tyler raced around the house, drawing on large sheets of paper. One morning, Emily ran to Sarah with a drawing—ocean, house, her, Tyler, and a dog.

“This is us!” she said proudly. “You, Uncle Robert, Tyler—my family!”

Tyler added, “You’re my sister, Emily.”

Robert hugged Sarah, and she saw love in his eyes. Emily laughed. “Can we get a dog?”

“We’ll talk about it,” Robert grinned.

Sarah realized: this was her home. Her family.