Page 37 of Breaking

Dylan sighed. "I don't know. I keep trying, but it's like my brain doesn't work properly anymore."

Jenna turned down the heat on the stove and leaned against the counter. "You know, that's not unusual. Stress does that. Grief does that. And trying to force it just makes it worse."

Dylan rubbed his temples. "I just don't want to fail my GCSEs."

Jenna picked up the wooden spoon and waved it at him playfully. "You won't. You're too stubborn to fail."

That earned a small smile from him. "Stubborn?"

"Oh, absolutely. Stubborn enough to keep going even when things are hard. Just like Sasha. And that's a good thing."

Her phone vibrated once more.

Troy:Goodnight.

She stared at it for a moment before locking the screen.

Dylan exhaled, looking down at his books.

"I don't even know if it matters. I don't even know what I want to do."

Jenna sat across from him. "Well, what interests you?"

Dylan hesitated, then shrugged. "I like building things. I always have. When I was little, I used to spend hours with Lego, making these crazy cities. I liked figuring out how everything fit together."

Jenna raised an eyebrow. "That sounds like an architect in the making. Or maybe a production engineer?"

Dylan looked away, embarrassed. "Yeah, well... that's a big job. Smart people do that."

Jenna reached out, lightly tapping the side of his head. "Smart people like you?"

He rolled his eyes, but there was a small smile playing at the corner of his mouth. "You really think I could do that?"

"I know you could," Jenna said firmly. "And if that's what you want, we'll find a way to make it happen."

Dylan looked at her, something flickering in his expression-hope, maybe. "Thanks, Jenna."

"Anytime, kid."

For the first time that night, Dylan picked up his pen and started to write. And this time, Jenna knew he wasn't just going through the motions. He was planning his future.

Chapter 33

Jenna

Jenna pushed the shopping cart through Tesco's clothing section, scanning the racks for leggings in Dani's size. The teenager walked slightly ahead, flicking through hangers with a look of practiced indifference.

"You're sure you don't want jeans instead?" Jenna asked, holding up a pair.

Dani shook her head. "Leggings are easier. Comfier."

Jenna nodded, watching as Dani pulled a few pairs into her arms before heading toward the sweaters. It had been a mild winter so far, but Dani had outgrown most of her warm clothes, and with Sasha gone, Jenna felt an even deeper need to make sure she had everything she needed.

After a few moments of silence, Dani spoke hesitantly. "Three years ago... Dylan and I wouldn't have let you do this."

Jenna looked up from a rack of cardigans. "Do what?"

"Take care of us. Buy us things." Dani ran a hand over the soft fabric of a hoodie, her voice quieter. "When we first came to live with Sasha, we didn't trust her. We didn't trust anyone."