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📜Synopsis: 🖌Will misplaced tenderness vanish after a heartbreaking truth?
Emma saved wolf beastkin Brian alongside her cousin thirteen years ago, nurturing him with sincere care all these years. She clung to the hope of quiet gratitude between them, until she accidentally heard his true thoughts. Brian is indifferent to her kindness and envies his brother’s warmer life with her excellent cousin. The cruel truth shatters Emma’s persistence, ending every bit of her hidden affection.
Genre: Engagement Breakup, Werewolf Attack, Love-Hate
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🔍More Playlist-FREE:https://www.dailymotion.com/ReelShort-Romance-Shows
📌Notice: ReelShort Romance Shows is an officially authorized publisher of ReelShort content.
📜Synopsis: 🖌Will misplaced tenderness vanish after a heartbreaking truth?
Emma saved wolf beastkin Brian alongside her cousin thirteen years ago, nurturing him with sincere care all these years. She clung to the hope of quiet gratitude between them, until she accidentally heard his true thoughts. Brian is indifferent to her kindness and envies his brother’s warmer life with her excellent cousin. The cruel truth shatters Emma’s persistence, ending every bit of her hidden affection.
Genre: Engagement Breakup, Werewolf Attack, Love-Hate
#reelshort #reels #FYP #film #Show #Movie #cdrama #Movies #drama #shortdrama #fullmovie #EngSub #English #Dailymotion #englishmovies #ROMANCE #ROMANTIC #BILLIONAIRE #CEO #SecondChance #ForbiddenLove #lovestory #Revenge #Betrayal #SecretReveals #SciFi #Supernatural #Family #Friendship #HighSchool #minidrama #dramamovies #newshortdrama #freeshortdrama #shortplay #shortfilm #miniseries #QuickDramaFix #TikTok #YouTubeShortStories #InstagramReelsDrama #MustWatchShorts #2026
Category
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Short filmTranscript
00:05Brian and Logan were twin wolf beast kin that my cousin Isabella and I rescued from the
00:10underground beast trade back then the two of us stood there staring at those filthy little wolf
00:15pups and without even needing to say much we each decided to adopt one I took Brian Isabella took
00:21Logan 13 years passed in the blink of an eye all that time I believe that even if Brian didn't
00:27like
00:27me he would at least feel grateful that I had saved his life that illusion shattered the day
00:32I accidentally overheard him talking to some other beast kin someone asked Emma's been really good to
00:39you why are you always so cold to her who asked her to be good to me you've got it
00:46good and don't even
00:48realize it good then I guess I should thank Emma properly if she hadn't taken me first me'd be the
00:53one with Isabella right now I mean makes sense compared to Isabella the head cheerleader Emma's
00:57just nothing special a dull ache spread through my chest every feeling I had held on to for Brian
01:03over the years quietly disappeared when I got home I sat on the living room couch until well past
01:09midnight again and again I picked up a mirror staring at the girl reflected in it I had always
01:15thought I looked average but now the longer I looked the worse it seemed with a surge of disgust
01:20I tossed the mirror aside all I could see in my mind was Isabella's radiant effortless smile
01:25I lowered my head and let the weight of my own insecurity swallow me home the sound of the front
01:29door opening broke the silence Brian walked in reeking of bourbon barely sparing me a glance before
01:35turning toward his bedroom I wiped my tears with the back of my hand and stood up for the first
01:39time
01:39I reached out trying to grab his tail my hand was immediately slapped away he stepped back his face full
01:45of irritation don't touch me it was exactly the same reaction as the first time I had tried to touch
01:50his wolf ears even after I had taken him in and cared for him with everything I had for 13
01:55years
01:55a bitter laugh slipped out of me so if you're not pretty even your sincerity isn't worth anyone taking
02:01seriously I didn't even notice when my tears began to fall one by one onto the hardwood floor by the
02:07time
02:07I looked up again I was alone in the living room my thoughts drifted as they always did back to
02:12high
02:12school and the annual fall homecoming carnival I used to bring a big box of Texas's barbecue
02:17and find Brian in the backyard Brian will you come to the carnival with me this year
02:22he'd lift his head out of the pool water dripping from his hair no but a lot of people bring
02:28their
02:28bee skin with them no if you want someone to go with you go adopt another one from the shelter
02:34so every year I went alone I would stand off to the side watching Logan who had the exact same
02:40face as
02:41Brian yet always wore the gentlest smile he would ruffle Isabella's hair and ask
02:46Isabella do you want that teddy bear she'd nod with a bright smile rising onto her toes to reach
02:52for his wolf ears and Logan would always bend down for her patient and indulgent I watched him like a
02:58thief quietly craving the life Isabella had but one time Chase and a few of his buddies shoved me onto
03:03the grass his voice was dripping with mockery well look who it is Emma a straight a nerd where's your
03:10little bee skin didn't feel like coming out with you one of his friends snickered her bee skin and
03:15Isabella's are twin wolves right the older one ended up with the prom queen and the younger one got stuck
03:21with an ugly duckling I refused to back down gritting my teeth I pushed myself up and swung my fist
03:26straight
03:27at his friend's face he went down hard before he could even react Chase lunged at me trying to fight
03:32back but I slammed him to the ground and kept hitting him until someone finally pulled me off the end
03:37result was predictable all of us were called into the principal's office I thought my mom would be on
03:41my side instead right in front of the principal and Chase she sighed in annoyance honestly what were
03:46you thinking they weren't even wrong why would you hit someone over that I tugged lightly at the sleeve
03:50of her coat mom I said barely above a whisper she acted like she didn't hear me let's be real
03:55she went on you're not exactly pretty and now you've got this terrible temper too even the
03:59bee skin you raised doesn't care about you I don't know how I ended up with a daughter like you
04:03sometimes I wish Isabella were my child instead that night I cried my eyes out in Central Park when
04:08I finally went home my father greeted me with a sharp slap across the face he said I closed my
04:15eyes and
04:16fell into a heavy sleep my messed up schedule left my mind blank when I woke up again when I
04:21pushed the
04:21door open I realized it was already dusk Brian was out but his presence lingered everywhere in the
04:26apartment I grabbed a slice of pizza and forced myself to eat then started packing up everything
04:30that belonged to me there wasn't much really after I got into college at 18 I was afraid my parents
04:35would
04:36treat Brian badly so I took him with me at my poorest I could only afford a run-down studio
04:41apartment
04:42he slept on the bed and I took the couch Brian was well over six feet tall and he would
04:46bump his head
04:47every time he walked through the low doorway so I worked non-stop picking up every part-time job I
04:52could find until I finally saved enough for a down payment on a small two-bedroom townhouse
04:56love has a way of making you feel like you owe everything so I bought Brian more things than he
05:01could ever need I never once considered that he didn't want any of it this time I decided to give
05:05him what he actually wanted freedom after I finished packing I walked out of the home Brian and I had
05:10shared
05:10the next morning when the staff at the Bureau of Non-Human Affairs asked me for the third time if
05:15I was sure I
05:15wanted to terminate my bond with Brian I still nodded when a human dissolves a bond unilaterally
05:20financial compensation is required I left the townhouse to him at the office Emily handed me
05:25the bond termination certificate then hesitated before asking Miss Emma would you like to give
05:30this to Mr. Brian in person or should we mail it on your behalf I took out the letter I
05:33had rewritten
05:34over and over again the night before please mail it to him I said and include this there were only
05:39two
05:39sentences in the letter I am sorry Brian I took you away without your consent so this time I am
05:45giving your
05:45freedom back to you I walked out of City Hall got into my car and left Los Angeles behind my
05:50new
05:50life would begin in Florida somewhere by the ocean waiting for warmer days ahead since my new job was
05:55as a lecturer at a university in Miami I rented a small beach house with a yard the evening sea
06:00breeze
06:00carried a faint salty smell as I walked along the shore wearing a mask the orange glow of the sunset
06:05was
06:05just right soft and beautiful I took a photo then out of habit opened my iMessage chat with Brian
06:10scrolling up it was nothing but messages from me photos of little trinkets I found at vintage markets
06:15strange shaped clouds in the sky the slow growth of a sunflower he rarely replied most of the time
06:20all I ever got back was a short dismissive yeah the last message in our chat was from the day
06:25I heard
06:26the truth I had asked him where are you I can come pick you up he never replied by then
06:31he must have
06:31already received the bond termination certificate and still he could not even bring himself to say
06:36goodbye all that was left in my chest was a dull spreading ache after thinking it over I realized my
06:41new
06:41life should not be tied to the past so I changed my phone number deleted my old instagram and created
06:46a new account I packed my schedule as full as possible just to earn a few nights of uninterrupted
06:51sleep some of the more outgoing college girls like to chat with me between classes professor Emma
06:56why do you always wear a mask on campus because I'm not very pretty who said that oh my god
07:01I swear I
07:02will shut them up there is no such thing as an ugly girl she sounded completely sincere and the others
07:07around her nodded in agreement just as indignant I would laugh it off and smoothly change the subject
07:12soon enough they started talking about the bee skin they had at home then they asked me professor what
07:17kind of bee skin do you have I did not know how to explain everything that had happened with Brian
07:21so I gave them a simple answer he died they fell silent for a long moment until the bell rang
07:26and
07:26class began after that during my two weekly lectures students would often bring me little things
07:30a starbucks latte a blueberry muffin or a bar of hershey's chocolate I could never finish it all that was
07:36when I
07:36started thinking about the little fox bee skin on campus who survived by collecting recyclables
07:40bee skin were usually striking in appearance and fox bee skin were among the most beautiful of all
07:45but this one had deep crisscrossing scars covering both sides of his face he was afraid of scaring the
07:50students so he only came out late at night that evening when I left the lab and went looking for
07:55him
07:55it started pouring out of nowhere a figure darted toward me a fluffy foxtail swaying behind him I called out
08:01softly hey little fox huh the young beast can turned around and noticed me immediately lowering
08:07his head he quickly covered his face with his hands I'm sorry ma'am I must have misheard please don't
08:12mind me the autumn rain carried a sharp chill he was soaked through water dripping steadily from his
08:17clothes I looked at him and said gently you don't have to hide your face I've seen you around I
08:21have
08:22hot water and a dryer in my office come upstairs and get warmed up he hesitated then slowly lowered his
08:27hands and nodded thank you ma'am once we got into my office under the bright lights I realized how
08:32young he was around 18 or 19 about the same age as my freshman while he was showering I went
08:37next door
08:38to the lab to ask about him my colleague Arthur was always eager to talk and he filled me in
08:43without
08:43hesitation that little fox is named Finn I heard he used to be incredibly good looking his former handler
08:48tried to sell him to the red light district in the underground beast trade he refused and even bit
08:53someone before escaping during the escape his face got slashed up when the people from the black
08:58market saw he was disfigured they beat him badly and threw him into the ocean lucky for him the
09:03university rowing team pulled him out since then he's been scraping by on campus selecting recyclables
09:08I asked where does he live there's a rundown shed behind the hill on campus Arthur frowned slightly
09:13Emma I heard your beast can passed away you're not thinking about adopting him are you I bit down on
09:18the
09:18straw of my hot latte and didn't answer Arto's voice suddenly sharpened he looks like that who would want to
09:23adopt him his words overlapped with the voices from my past she looks so plain who would ever like her
09:28but why we have hearts too we want to love and be loved just the same I looked at Arthur
09:33and said
09:33quietly he isn't ugly he's just been hurt and he's kind he's sweet I've seen him share the food he
09:39collects with homeless people nearby I've seen him donate his spare change to the beast can protection
09:43agency so please don't say things like that about him again when I stepped out of Arthur's office I saw
09:48Finn standing in the hallway his blonde hair and tail were still damp his eyes were brimming with
09:53tears feeling a little awkward I changed the subject if it's hard to do it yourself I can help dry
09:57it
09:58I took the towel and gently dried his hair and tail then used a hair dryer to finish the job
10:02it was my
10:03first time drying a bee skin's tail and I was clumsy I accidentally hurt him more than once and kept
10:07apologizing Finn's face turned red it's okay I'm already very grateful to you when I finally finished
10:13I handed him a muffin and the latte he didn't take them after a long pause as if gathering all
10:18his
10:18courage he spoke again ma'am I don't eat much could you adopt me my hand froze mid-air Finn
10:25continued I
10:26know I'm not good looking but I can cook wash dishes mow the lawn I can get massages and I
10:30know how to grow
10:31roses I smiled then took off my mask and met his eyes but I'm not good looking either would you
10:35still
10:36choose me Finn gently reached out and touched my cheek his movements careful almost reverent you're very
10:42cute he said softly I want to go with you my eyes stung I blinked quickly holding back the tears
10:48and
10:49took his hand as we walked out of the lab building together the rain had stopped and just like that
10:53I chose a family for myself I completed the paperwork and adopted Finn just like he promised he did
10:59everything beautifully he kept the beach house spotless filled the yard with blooming hydrangeas and
11:03brought me hot home-cooked lunches at the lab running those spectral analyses today nearly killed me
11:08Arthur said as he wandered in from next door shamelessly helping himself he took a big spoonful
11:13of beef stew and let out a low whistle damn Finn can cook this is incredible meanwhile the one at
11:18my
11:18place does nothing but curl up on the couch and watch Netflix honestly Arthur should have been grateful
11:23Brianne could not cook at all then again maybe he just never bothered to do anything like that for me
11:28that night I had the nightmare again a memory buried deep in my mind I was 17 Isabella and Logan
11:35went with me and Brian to Universal Studios Orlando halfway through the day the park was hit by a
11:41sudden indiscriminate attack explosions erupted from every direction Logan shielded Isabella while I
11:47grabbed Brianne's hand and ran for the exit we were near the eastern side of the park but the flying
11:52debris still cut into everyone we were only steps away from the exit when it was blown apart right in
11:57front of us at the time I had been running ahead and never noticed what happened in that instant but
12:02in
12:03the dream I saw it clearly both Logan and Brian threw themselves toward Isabella without hesitation
12:08I was left alone collapsing into rubble and dust with no one caring whether I lived or died Logan and
12:14Brianne were only relieved that Isabella was safe later I lay unconscious in the ICU for days my parents
12:20and Brianne stayed by Isabella's side comforting her as she cried from the shock a voice echoed in my mind
12:25mocking me Emma C no one in this world loves you it came from everywhere repeating itself over and over
12:32surrounding me until I could not escape it in the dream my soul seemed to float above crouch down
12:37clutching my head as I tried to argue back that's not true that's not true then faintly someone grabbed
12:45my hand and pulled me forward a voice said Emma that's not true everyone deserves to be loved I woke
12:51with a start the first thing I saw was Finn sitting at my bedside wiping the cold sweat from my
12:56forehead
12:56his face tight with worry when he saw my eyes open he finally let out a breath tears slipped down
13:02my
13:02face before I could stop them Finn can you hold me he climbed onto the bed and pull me into
13:07his arms
13:07I clung to him like a child pouring out everything I had been holding inside Finn gently patted my back
13:12murmuring soft reassurances I did not have to worry about him snapping at me to leave him alone I did
13:18not
13:18have to worry about him brushing me off and disappearing into distractions and I definitely did not have to
13:22worry about him looking at me with cold indifference I want to hear a song I whispered Finn hummed softly
13:28you are my sunshine my only sunshine you make me happy when skies are gray with Finn taking care of
13:34me I started getting better little by little the sunlight was especially bright today Finn and I
13:39were in the backyard hanging sheets out to dry we ended up laughing and playing around on either side
13:44of the fabric the breeze lifting it between us then someone called my name from beyond the fence
13:49Emma I turned around Brian was standing there the hanger slipped from my hand and fell straight onto the
13:54grass Finn noticed the shift in my expression immediately and stepped in front of me without
13:59hesitation I tugged lightly on the hem of Finn's flannel shirt it's okay I know him go take care of
14:05the blue crabs in the kitchen I just need a minute to talk to him we walked over to a
14:09wooden bench by the
14:09shore the ocean breeze tangled my hair I forced a small awkward smile it's been a while Brian he stared
14:15at me his voice cold who is that fox my new fostered bee skin
14:24Brian and Logan were twin wolf beast kin that my cousin Isabella and I rescued from the underground
14:30beast trade back then the two of us stood there staring at those filthy little wolf pups
14:35and without even needing to say much we each decided to adopt one I took Brian Isabella took Logan
14:4113 years passed in the blink of an eye all that time I believe that even if Brian didn't like
14:47me he
14:47would at least feel grateful that I had saved his life that illusion shattered the day I accidentally
14:53overheard him talking to some other bee skin someone asked Emma's been really good to you
15:00why are you always so cold to her who asked her to be good to me you've got it good
15:06and don't even
15:08realize it good then I guess I should thank Emma properly if she hadn't taken me first me'd be the
15:13one with Isabella right now I mean makes sense compared to Isabella the head cheerleader Emma's just
15:17nothing special a dull ache spread through my chest every feeling I had held on to for Brian over the
15:24years quietly disappeared when I got home I sat on the living room couch until well past midnight
15:29again and again I picked up a mirror staring at the girl reflected in it I had always thought I
15:35looked average but now the longer I looked the worse it seemed with a surge of disgust I tossed the
15:40mirror aside all I could see in my mind was Isabella's radiant effortless smile I lowered my head and let
15:46the weight of my own insecurity swallow me home the sound of the front door opening broke the silence
15:50Brian walked in reeking of bourbon barely sparing me a glance before turning toward his bedroom
15:55I wiped my tears with the back of my hand and stood up for the first time I reached out
15:59trying to grab
16:00his tail my hand was immediately slapped away he stepped back his face full of irritation don't touch me
16:06it was exactly the same reaction as the first time I had tried to touch his wolf ears even after
16:11I had
16:12taken him in and cared for him with everything I had for 13 years a bitter laugh slipped out of
16:17me
16:17so if you're not pretty even your sincerity isn't worth anyone taking seriously I didn't even notice
16:23when my tears began to fall one by one onto the hardwood floor by the time I looked up again
16:28I was
16:28alone in the living room my thoughts drifted as they always did back to high school and the annual fall
16:33homecoming carnival I used to bring a big box of Texas's barbecue and find Brian in the backyard Brian
16:40will you come to the carnival with me this year he'd lift his head out of the pool water dripping
16:45from his hair no but a lot of people bring their bee skin with them no if you want someone
16:51to go with
16:51you go adopt another one from the shelter so every year I went alone I would stand off to the
16:58side
16:58watching Logan who had the exact same face as Brian yet always wore the gentlest smile he would
17:04ruffle Isabella's hair and ask Isabella do you want that teddy bear she'd nod with a bright smile
17:10rising onto her toes to reach for his wolf ears and Logan would always bend down for her patient and
17:16indulgent I watched him like a thief quietly craving the life Isabella had but one time Jason a few of
17:22his buddies shoved me onto the grass his voice was dripping with mockery well look who it is Emma
17:28a straight day nerd where's your little bee skin didn't feel like coming out with you one of his
17:33friends snickered her bee skin and Isabella's are twin wolves right the older one ended up with the
17:39prom queen and the younger one got stuck with an ugly duckling I refused to back down gritting my teeth
17:44I pushed myself up and swung my fist straight at his friend's face he went down hard before he could
17:49even react Chase lunged at me trying to fight back but I slammed him to the ground and kept hitting
17:54him
17:54until someone finally pulled me off the end result was predictable all of us were called into the
17:59principal's office I thought my mom would be on my side instead right in front of the principal and
18:03Chase she sighed in annoyance honestly what were you thinking they weren't even wrong why would you
18:08hit someone over that I tugged lightly at the sleeve of her coat mom I said barely above a whisper
18:13she
18:13acted like she didn't hear me let's be real she went on you're not exactly pretty and now you've got
18:17this terrible temper too even the bee skin you raised doesn't care about you I don't know how I ended
18:22up
18:22with a daughter like you sometimes I wish Isabella were my child instead that night I cried my eyes
18:27out in Central Park when I finally went home my father greeted me with a sharp slap across the face
18:31he said I closed my eyes and fell into a heavy sleep my messed up schedule left my mind blank
18:39when
18:39I woke up again when I pushed the door open I realized it was already dusk Brian was out but
18:44his
18:44presence lingered everywhere in the apartment I grabbed a slice of pizza and forced myself to eat
18:49then started packing up everything that belonged to me there wasn't much really after I got into
18:53college at 18 I was afraid my parents would treat Brian badly so I took him with me at my
18:59poorest I
19:00could only afford a run-down studio apartment he slept on the bed and I took the couch Brian was
19:05well
19:05over six feet tall and he would bump his head every time he walked through the low doorway so I
19:09worked
19:09non-stop picking up every part-time job I could find until I finally saved enough for a down payment
19:14on a
19:15small two-bedroom townhouse love has a way of making you feel like you owe everything so I bought
19:20Brian more things than he could ever need I never once considered that he didn't want any of it this
19:24time I decided to give him what he actually wanted freedom after I finished packing I walked out of the
19:29home Brian and I had shared the next morning when the staff at the Bureau of Non-Human Affairs asked
19:34me
19:34for the third time if I was sure I wanted to terminate my bond with Brian I still nodded when
19:38a human
19:38dissolves a bond unilaterally financial compensation is required I left the townhouse to him at the office
19:44Emily handed me the bond termination certificate then hesitated before asking Miss Emma would you
19:49like to give this to Mr. Brian in person or should we mail it on your behalf I took out
19:53the letter I
19:53had rewritten over and over again the night before please mail it to him I said and include this there
19:58were only two sentences in the letter I am sorry Brian I took you away without your consent so this
20:04time I am giving your freedom back to you I walked out of City Hall got into my car and
20:08left Los Angeles
20:09behind my new life would begin in Florida somewhere by the ocean waiting for warmer days ahead
20:14since my new job was as a lecturer at a university in Miami I rented a small beach house with
20:19a yard
20:19the evening sea breeze carried a faint salty smell as I walked along the shore wearing a mask the orange
20:24glow of the sunset was just right soft and beautiful I took a photo then out of habit opened my
20:28iMessage
20:29chat with Brian scrolling up it was nothing but messages from me photos of little trinkets I found
20:34at vintage markets strange shaped clouds in the sky the slow growth of a sunflower he rarely replied
20:39most of the time all I ever got back was a short dismissive yeah the last message in our chat
20:44was
20:45from the day I heard the truth I had asked him where are you I can come pick you up
20:49he never replied
20:50by then he must have already received the bond termination certificate and still he could not
20:54even bring himself to say goodbye all that was left in my chest was a dull spreading ache after thinking
20:59it over I realized my new life should not be tied to the past so I changed my phone number
21:04deleted my old
21:05Instagram and created a new account I packed my schedule as full as possible just to earn a few
21:10nights of uninterrupted sleep some of the more outgoing college girls like to chat with me between
21:14classes professor Emma why do you always wear a mask on campus because I'm not very pretty who said that
21:20oh my god I swear I will shut them up there is no such thing as an ugly girl she
21:25sounded completely
21:26sincere and the others around her nodded in agreement just as indignant I would laugh it off
21:30and smoothly change the subject soon enough they started talking about the beeskin they had at home
21:35then they asked me professor what kind of beeskin do you have I did not know how to explain everything
21:39that had happened with Brian so I gave them a simple answer he died they fell silent for a long
21:44moment
21:44until the bell rang and class began after that during my two weekly lectures students would often bring
21:50me little things a starbucks latte a blueberry muffin or a bar of hershey's chocolate I could never finish it
21:55all that was when I started thinking about the little fox beeskin on campus who survived by
21:59collecting recyclables beeskin were usually striking in appearance and fox beeskin were among
22:04the most beautiful of all but this one had deep crisscrossing scars covering both sides of his face
22:09he was afraid of scaring the students so he only came out late at night that evening when I left
22:14the
22:14lab and went looking for him it started pouring out of nowhere a figure darted toward me a fluffy
22:19foxtail swaying behind him I called out softly hey little fox huh the young beeskin turned around
22:25and noticed me immediately lowering his head he quickly covered his face with his hands I'm sorry
22:30ma'am I must have misheard please don't mind me the autumn rain carried a sharp chill he was soaked
22:35through water dripping steadily from his clothes I looked at him and said gently you don't have to hide your
22:40face I've seen you around I have hot water and a dryer in my office come upstairs and get warmed
22:45up he
22:45hesitated then slowly lowered his hands and nodded thank you ma'am once we got into my office under the
22:50bright
22:50lights I realized how young he was around 18 or 19 about the same age as my freshman while he
22:56was
22:56showering I went next door to the lab to ask about him my colleague Arthur was always eager to talk
23:01and he filled me in without hesitation that little fox is named Finn I heard he used to be incredibly
23:07good-looking his former handler tried to sell him to the red light district in the underground beast trade
23:11he refused and even bit someone before escaping during the escape his face got slashed up when the
23:17people from the black market saw he was disfigured they beat him badly and threw him into the ocean
23:21lucky for him the university rowing team pulled him out since then he's been scraping by on campus
23:27selecting recyclables I asked where does he live there's a rundown shed behind the hill on campus
23:32Arthur frowned slightly Emma I heard your beastkin passed away you're not thinking about adopting him
23:37are you I bit down on the straw of my hot latte and didn't answer Arto's voice suddenly sharpened
23:41he looks like that who would want to adopt him his words overlapped with the voices from my past
23:46she looks so plain who would ever like her but why we have hearts too we want to love and
23:50be loved
23:51just the same I looked at Arthur and said quietly he isn't ugly he's just been hurt and he's kind
23:56he's sweet I've seen him share the food he collects with homeless people nearby I've seen him donate his
24:01spare change to the beastkin protection agency so please don't say things like that about him again
24:06when I stepped out of Arthur's office I saw Finn standing in the hallway his blonde hair and tail were
24:11still damp his eyes were brimming with tears feeling a little awkward I changed the subject if it's
24:16hard to do it yourself I can help dry it I took the towel and gently dried his hair and
24:20tail then
24:20used a hair dryer to finish the job it was my first time drying a bee skin's tail and I
24:24was clumsy I
24:25accidentally hurt him more than once and kept apologizing Finn's face turned red it's okay I'm
24:31already very grateful to you when I finally finished I handed him a muffin and the latte he didn't take
24:35them after a long pause as if gathering all his courage he spoke again ma'am I don't eat much
24:41could you adopt me my hand froze mid-air Finn continued I know I'm not good looking but I can
24:47cook wash dishes mow the lawn I can get massages and I know how to grow roses I smiled then
24:52took off
24:52my mask and met his eyes but I'm not good looking either would you still choose me Finn gently reached
24:57out and touched my cheek his movements careful almost reverent you're very cute he said softly I want to go
25:04with you my eyes stung I blinked quickly holding back the tears and took his hand as we walked out
25:10of the lab building together the rain had stopped and just like that I chose a family for myself
25:14I completed the paperwork and adopted Finn just like he promised he did everything beautifully he
25:19kept the beach house spotless filled the yard with blooming hydrangeas and brought me hot home-cooked
25:24lunches at the lab running those spectral analyses today nearly killed me Arthur said as he wandered in
25:29from next door shamelessly helping himself he took a big spoonful of beef stew and let out a low
25:34whistle damn Finn can cook this is incredible meanwhile the one at my place does nothing but
25:39curl up on the couch and watch Netflix honestly Arthur should have been grateful Brianne could not
25:44cook at all then again maybe he just never bothered to do anything like that for me that night
25:49I had the nightmare again a memory buried deep in my mind I was 17 Isabella and Logan went with
25:56me
25:56and Brianne to Universal Studios Orlando halfway through the day the park was hit by a sudden
26:01indiscriminate attack explosions erupted from every direction Logan shielded Isabella while I grabbed
26:07Brianne's hand and ran for the exit we were near the eastern side of the park but the flying debris
26:12still cut into everyone we were only steps away from the exit when it was blown apart right in front
26:17of
26:18us at the time I had been running ahead and never noticed what happened in that instant but in the
26:22dream
26:23I saw it clearly both Logan and Brian threw themselves toward Isabella without hesitation
26:27I was left alone collapsing into rubble and dust with no one caring whether I lived or died Logan and
26:33Brianne were only relieved that Isabella was safe later I lay unconscious in the ICU for days my parents
26:39and Brianne stayed by Isabella's side comforting her as she cried from the shock a voice echoed in my mind
26:45mocking me Emma C no one in this world loves you it came from everywhere repeating itself over and over
26:52surrounding me until I could not escape it in the dream my soul seemed to float above
26:56crouched down clutching my head as I tried to argue back that's not true that's not true
27:02then faintly someone grabbed my hand and pulled me forward a voice said Emma that's not true everyone
27:09deserves to be loved I woke with a start the first thing I saw was Finn sitting at my bedside
27:14wiping the
27:15cold sweat from my forehead his face tight with worry when he saw my eyes open he finally let out
27:20a breath
27:21tears slipped down my face before I could stop them Finn can you hold me he climbed onto the bed
27:26and pull me into his arms I clung to him like a child pouring out everything I had been holding
27:30inside Finn gently patted my back murmuring soft reassurances I did not have to worry about him
27:35snapping at me to leave him alone I did not have to worry about him brushing me off and disappearing
27:40into distractions and I definitely did not have to worry about him looking at me with cold indifference
27:44I want to hear a song I whispered Finn hummed softly you are my sunshine my only sunshine you make
27:51me
27:51happy when skies are gray with Finn taking care of me I started getting better little by little
27:56the sunlight was especially bright today Finn and I were in the backyard hanging sheets out to dry we
28:02ended up laughing and playing around on either side of the fabric the breeze lifting it between us then
28:07someone called my name from beyond the fence Emma I turned around Brian was standing there the hanger
28:12slipped from my hand and fell straight onto the grass Finn noticed the shift in my expression
28:17immediately and stepped in front of me without hesitation I tugged lightly on the hem of Finn's
28:22flannel shirt it's okay I know him go take care of the blue crabs in the kitchen I just need
28:26a
28:26minute to talk to him we walked over to a wooden bench by the shore the ocean breeze tangled my
28:31hair
28:31I forced a small awkward smile it's been a while Brian he stared at me his voice cold who is
28:37that fox
28:37my new fostered bee skin
28:44Brian and Logan were twin wolf bee skin that my cousin Isabella and I rescued from the underground
28:50bee's trade back then the two of us stood there staring at those filthy little wolf pups and without
28:56even needing to say much we each decided to adopt one I took Brian Isabella took Logan 13 years passed
29:02in
29:02the blink of an eye all that time I believed that even if Brian didn't like me he would at
29:07least feel
29:08grateful that I had saved his life that illusion shattered the day I accidentally overheard him
29:14talking to some other bee skin someone asked Emma's been really good to you why are you always
29:20so cold to her who asked her to be good to me you've got it good and don't even realize
29:28it good
29:29then I guess I should thank Emma properly if she hadn't taken me first me'd be the one with Isabella
29:33right now I mean makes sense compared to Isabella the head cheerleader Emma's just nothing special
29:38a dull ache spread through my chest every feeling I had held on to for Brian over the years quietly
29:44disappeared when I got home I sat on the living room couch until well past midnight again and again
29:50I picked up a mirror staring at the girl reflected in it I had always thought I looked average but
29:56now the
29:56longer I looked the worse it seemed with a surge of disgust I tossed the mirror aside all I could
30:02see in my mind was Isabella's radiant effortless smile I lowered my head and let the weight of my
30:06own insecurity swallow me home the sound of the front door opening broke the silence Brian walked in
30:11reeking of bourbon barely sparing me a glance before turning toward his bedroom I wiped my tears with the
30:17back of my hand and stood up for the first time I reached out trying to grab his tail my
30:21hand was
30:21immediately slapped away he stepped back his face full of irritation don't touch me it was exactly
30:27the same reaction as the first time I had tried to touch his wolf ears even after I had taken
30:32him
30:32in and cared for him with everything I had for 13 years a bitter laugh slipped out of me so
30:37if you're
30:38not pretty even your sincerity isn't worth anyone taking seriously I didn't even notice when my tears
30:43began to fall one by one onto the hardwood floor by the time I looked up again I was alone
30:49in the living
30:49room my thoughts drifted as they always did back to high school and the annual fall homecoming
30:54carnival I used to bring a big box of Texas's barbecue and find Brian in the backyard Brian will
31:00you come to the carnival with me this year he'd lift his head out of the pool water dripping from
31:05his hair no but a lot of people bring their bee skin with them no if you want someone to
31:11go with you
31:11go adopt another one from the shelter so every year I went alone I would stand off to the side
31:18watching Logan who had the exact same face as Brian yet always wore the gentlest smile
31:23he would ruffle Isabella's hair and ask Isabella do you want that teddy bear
31:28she'd nod with a bright smile rising onto her toes to reach for his wolf ears and Logan would always
31:34bend
31:34down for her patient and indulgent I watched him like a thief quietly craving the life Isabella had
31:40but one time Jason a few of his buddies shoved me onto the grass
31:44his voice was dripping with mockery well look who it is Emma Australian nerd where's your little
31:50bee skin didn't feel like coming out with you one of his friends snickered her bee skin and Isabella's
31:56are twin wolves right the older one ended up with the prom queen and the younger one got stuck with
32:00an ugly duckling I refused to back down gritting my teeth I pushed myself up and swung my fist straight
32:06at his friend's face he went down hard before he could even react chase lunged at me trying to fight
32:12back
32:12but I slammed him to the ground and kept hitting him until someone finally pulled me off the end result
32:17was predictable all of us were called into the principal's office I thought my mom would be on my side
32:21instead right in front of the principal and chase she sighed in annoyance honestly what were you thinking
32:26they weren't even wrong why would you hit someone over that I tugged lightly at the sleeve of her coat
32:30mom I said barely above a whisper she acted like she didn't hear me let's be real she went on
32:35you're not exactly pretty and now you've got this terrible temper too even the bee skin you raise doesn't care
32:40about you
32:41I don't know how I ended up with a daughter like you sometimes I wish Isabella were my child instead
32:45that night I cried my eyes out in Central Park when I finally went home my father greeted me with
32:50a sharp slap
32:50across the face he said I closed my eyes and fell into a heavy sleep my messed up schedule left
32:58my mind
32:59blank when I woke up again when I pushed the door open I realized it was already dusk Brian was
33:03out but
33:04his presence lingered everywhere in the apartment I grabbed a slice of pizza and forced myself to eat then
33:09started packing up everything that belonged to me there wasn't much really after I got into college
33:13at 18 I was afraid my parents would treat Brian badly so I took him with me at my poorest
33:19I could
33:20only afford a rundown studio apartment he slept on the bed and I took the couch Brian was well over
33:25six
33:25feet tall and he would bump his head every time he walked through the low doorway so I worked non
33:29-stop
33:30picking up every part-time job I could find until I finally saved enough for a down payment on a
33:35small
33:35two-bedroom townhouse love has a way of making you feel like you owe everything so I bought Brian
33:40more things than he could ever need I never once considered that he didn't want any of it this time
33:44I decided to give him what he actually wanted freedom after I finished packing I walked out of
33:49the home Brian and I had shared the next morning when the staff at the bureau of non-human affairs
33:53asked me for the third time if I was sure I wanted to terminate my bond with Brian I still
33:57nodded when a
33:58human dissolves a bond unilaterally financial compensation is required I left the townhouse to him at the office
34:04Emily handed me the bond termination certificate then hesitated before asking Miss Emma would you
34:09like to give this to Mr. Brian in person or should we mail it on your behalf I took out
34:12the letter I
34:13had rewritten over and over again the night before please mail it to him I said and include this there
34:18were only two sentences in the letter I am sorry Brian I took you away without your consent so this
34:23time I am giving your freedom back to you I walked out of City Hall got into my car and
34:28left Los Angeles
34:29behind my new life would begin in Florida somewhere by the ocean waiting for warmer days ahead
34:34since my new job was as a lecturer at a university in Miami I rented a small beach house with
34:38a yard
34:39the evening sea breeze carried a faint salty smell as I walked along the shore wearing a mask the orange
34:44glow of the sunset was just right soft and beautiful I took a photo then out of habit opened my
34:48iMessage
34:49chat with Brian scrolling up it was nothing but messages from me photos of little trinkets I found
34:53at vintage markets strange shaped clouds in the sky the slow growth of a sunflower he rarely replied
34:59most of the time all I ever got back was a short dismissive yeah the last message in our chat
35:04was
35:04from the day I heard the truth I had asked him where are you I can come pick you up
35:08he never replied
35:10by then he must have already received the bond termination certificate and still he could not
35:14even bring himself to say goodbye all that was left in my chest was a dull spreading ache after thinking
35:19it over I realized my new life should not be tied to the past so I changed my phone number
35:24deleted my old
35:24Instagram and created a new account I packed my schedule as full as possible just to earn a few
35:29nights of uninterrupted sleep some of the more outgoing college girls like to chat with me between
35:34classes professor Emma why do you always wear a mask on campus because I'm not very pretty who said that
35:40oh my god I swear I will shut them up there is no such thing as an ugly girl she
35:45sounded completely
35:45sincere and the others around her nodded in agreement just as indignant I would laugh it off
35:50and smoothly change the subject soon enough they started talking about the bee skin they had at home
35:55then they asked me professor what kind of bee skin do you have I did not know how to explain
35:59everything that had happened with Brian so I gave them a simple answer he died they fell silent for
36:04a long moment until the bell rang and class began after that during my two weekly lectures students
36:09would often bring me little things a Starbucks latte a blueberry muffin or a bar of Hershey's chocolate
36:13I could never finish it all that was when I started thinking about the little fox bee skin on campus
36:18who
36:18survived by collecting recyclables bee skin were usually striking in appearance and fox bee skin
36:23were among the most beautiful of all but this one had deep crisscrossing scars covering both sides of
36:28his face he was afraid of scaring the students so he only came out late at night that evening when
36:33I
36:33left the lab and went looking for him it started pouring out of nowhere a figure darted toward me
36:38a fluffy foxtail swaying behind him I called out softly hey little fox huh the young bee skin turned around
36:45and noticed me immediately lowering his head he quickly covered his face with his hands I'm sorry
36:49ma'am I must have misheard please don't mind me the autumn rain carried a sharp chill he was soaked
36:54through water dripping steadily from his clothes I looked at him and said gently you don't have to hide your
36:59face I've seen you around I have hot water and a dryer in my office come upstairs and get warmed
37:04up
37:05he hesitated then slowly lowered his hands and nodded thank you ma'am once we got into my office under
37:09the bright
37:10lights I realized how young he was around 18 or 19 about the same age as my freshman while he
37:16was
37:16showering I went next door to the lab to ask about him my colleague Arthur was always eager to talk
37:21and he filled me in without hesitation that little fox is named Finn I heard he used to be incredibly
37:27good-looking his former handler tried to sell him to the red light district in the underground beast
37:31trade he refused and even bit someone before escaping during the escape his face got slashed up when the
37:36people from the black market saw he was disfigured they beat him badly and threw him into the ocean
37:41lucky for him the university rowing team pulled him out since then he's been scraping by on campus
37:46selecting recyclables I asked where does he live there's a rundown shed behind the hill on campus
37:52Arthur frowned slightly Emma I heard your beastkin passed away you're not thinking about adopting him
37:56are you I bit down on the straw of my hot latte and didn't answer Arto's voice suddenly sharpened
38:01he looks like that who would want to adopt him his words overlapped with the voices from my past
38:05she looks so plain who would ever like her but why we have hearts too we want to love and
38:10be loved
38:11just the same I looked at Arthur and said quietly he isn't ugly he's just been hurt and he's kind
38:16he's sweet I've seen him share the food he collects with homeless people nearby I've seen him donate his
38:21spare change to the beastkin protection agency so please don't say things like that about him again
38:26when I stepped out of Arthur's office I saw Finn standing in the hallway his blonde hair and tail were
38:31still damp his eyes were brimming with tears feeling a little awkward I changed the subject if it's
38:35hard to do it yourself I can help dry it I took the towel and gently dried his hair and
38:39tail then
38:40used a hair dryer to finish the job it was my first time drying a bee skin's tail and I
38:44was clumsy I
38:45accidentally hurt him more than once and kept apologizing Finn's face turned red it's okay I'm
38:50already very grateful to you when I finally finished I handed him a muffin and the latte he didn't take
38:55them after a long pause as if gathering all his courage he spoke again ma'am I don't eat much
39:01could you adopt me my hand froze mid-air Finn continued I know I'm not good looking but I can
39:07cook wash dishes mow the lawn I can get massages and I know how to grow roses I smiled then
39:12took off
39:12my mask and met his eyes but I'm not good looking either would you still choose me Finn gently reached
39:17out and touched my cheek his movements careful almost reverent you're very cute he said softly I want to go
39:24with you my eyes stung I blinked quickly holding back the tears and took his hand as we walked out
39:29of the lab building together the rain had stopped and just like that I chose a family for myself
39:34I completed the paperwork and adopted Finn just like he promised he did everything beautifully he
39:39kept the beach house spotless filled the yard with blooming hydrangeas and brought me hot home-cooked
39:44lunches at the lab running those spectral analyses today nearly killed me Arthur said as he wandered in
39:49from next door shamelessly helping himself he took a big spoonful of beef stew and let out a low whistle
39:54damn Finn can cook this is incredible meanwhile the one at my place does nothing but curl up on the
39:59couch
40:00and watch Netflix honestly Arthur should have been grateful Brianne could not cook at all then again
40:05maybe he just never bothered to do anything like that for me that night I had the nightmare again
40:10a memory buried deep in my mind I was 17 Isabella and Logan went with me and Brian to Universal
40:17Studios
40:17Orlando halfway through the day the park was hit by a sudden indiscriminate attack explosions erupted
40:23from every direction Logan shielded Isabella while I grabbed Brian's hand and ran for the exit we were
40:29near the eastern side of the park but the flying debris still cut into everyone we were only steps
40:34away from the exit when it was blown apart right in front of us at the time I had been
40:39running ahead
40:39and never noticed what happened in that instant but in the dream I saw it clearly both Logan and
40:45Brian threw themselves toward Isabella without hesitation I was left alone collapsing into rubble
40:50and dust with no one caring whether I lived or died Logan and Brian were only relieved that Isabella
40:55was safe later I lay unconscious in the ICU for days my parents and Brian stayed by Isabella's side
41:01comforting her as she cried from the shock a voice echoed in my mind mocking me Emma C no one
41:07in this
41:07world loves you it came from everywhere repeating itself over and over surrounding me until I could not escape it
41:14in the dream my soul seemed to float above crouch down clutching my head as I tried to argue
41:19back that's not true that's not true then faintly someone grabbed my hand and pulled me forward a
41:26voice said Emma that's not true everyone deserves to be loved I woke with a start the first thing I
41:32saw
41:32was Finn sitting at my bedside wiping the cold sweat from my forehead his face tight with worry when he
41:38saw my eyes open he finally let out a breath tears slipped down my face before I could stop them
41:43Finn can you hold me he climbed onto the bed and pull me into his arms I clung to him
41:48like a child
41:48pouring out everything I had been holding inside Finn gently patted my back murmuring soft reassurances I
41:54did not have to worry about him snapping at me to leave him alone I did not have to worry
41:58about him
41:58brushing me off and disappearing into distractions and I definitely did not have to worry about him looking
42:03at me with cold indifference I want to hear a song I whispered Finn hummed softly you are my sunshine
42:09my
42:09only sunshine you make me happy when skies are gray with Finn taking care of me I started getting
42:15better little by little the sunlight was especially bright today Finn and I were in the backyard
42:20hanging sheets out to dry we ended up laughing and playing around on either side of the fabric
42:25the breeze lifting it between us then someone called my name from beyond the fence
42:29amma I turned around Brian was standing there the hanger slipped from my hand and fell straight
42:34onto the grass Finn noticed the shift in my expression immediately and stepped in front
42:38of me without hesitation I tugged lightly on the hem of Finn's flannel shirt it's okay I know him go
42:44take care of the blue crabs in the kitchen I just need a minute to talk to him we walked
42:48over to a wooden bench by the shore the ocean breeze tangled my hair I forced a small awkward smile
42:53it's been a while Brian he stared at me his voice cold who is that fox my new fostered
43:04beast kin Brian and Logan were twin wolf beast kin that my cousin Isabella and I rescued from the
43:09underground beast trade back then the two of us stood there staring at those filthy little wolf pups
43:15and without even needing to say much we each decided to adopt one I took Brian Isabella took
43:20Logan 13 years passed in the blink of an eye all that time I believe that even if Brian didn't
43:26like me
43:27he would at least feel grateful that I had saved his life that illusion shattered the day I accidentally
43:32overheard him talking to some other beast kin someone asked Emma's been really good to you
43:39why are you always so cold to her who asked her to be good to me you've got it good
43:46and don't even
43:48realize it good then I guess I should thank Emma properly if she hadn't taken me first me'd be the
43:52one with Isabella right now I mean makes sense compared to Isabella the head cheerleader Emma's
43:57just nothing special a dull ache spread through my chest every feeling I had held on to for Brian over
44:03the years quietly disappeared when I got home I sat on the living room couch until well past midnight
44:09again and again I picked up a mirror staring at the girl reflected in it I had always thought I
44:14looked
44:15average but now the longer I looked the worse it seemed with a surge of disgust I tossed the mirror
44:20aside
44:21all I could see in my mind was Isabella's radiant effortless smile I lowered my head and let the
44:26weight of my own insecurity swallow me home the sound of the front door opening broke the silence
44:30Brian walked in reeking of bourbon barely sparing me a glance before turning toward his bedroom
44:35I wiped my tears with the back of my hand and stood up for the first time I reached out
44:39trying to grab his
44:40tail my hand was immediately slapped away he stepped back his face full of irritation don't touch me it was
44:46exactly the same reaction as the first time I had tried to touch his wolf ears even after I had
44:51taken
44:51him in and cared for him with everything I had for 13 years a bitter laugh slipped out of me
44:57so if
44:57you're not pretty even your sincerity isn't worth anyone taking seriously I didn't even notice when my
45:03tears began to fall one by one onto the hardwood floor by the time I looked up again I was
45:08alone in
45:09the living room my thoughts drifted as they always did back to high school and the annual fall homecoming
45:14carnival I used to bring a big box of Texas's barbecue and find Brian in the backyard Brian
45:19will you come to the carnival with me this year he'd lift his head out of the pool water dripping
45:24from
45:25his hair no but a lot of people bring their bee skin with them no if you want someone to
45:31go with you
45:31go adopt another one from the shelter so every year I went alone I would stand off to the side
45:37watching
45:38Logan who had the exact same face as Brian yet always wore the gentlest smile he would ruffle
45:44Isabella's hair and ask Isabella do you want that teddy bear she'd nod with a bright smile rising onto
45:51her toes to reach for his wolf ears and Logan would always bend down for her patient and indulgent
45:56I watched him like a thief quietly craving the life Isabella had but one time Jason a few of his
46:02buddies shoved me onto the grass his voice was dripping with mockery well look who it is Emma
46:08a straight a nerd where's your little bee skin didn't feel like coming out with you one of his
46:13friends snickered her bee skin and Isabella's are twin wolves right the older one ended up with the
46:18prom queen and the younger one got stuck with an ugly duckling I refused to back down gritting my teeth
46:24I pushed myself up and swung my fist straight at his friend's face he went down hard before he could
46:29even react chase lunged at me trying to fight back but I slammed him to the ground and kept hitting
46:34him
46:34until someone finally pulled me off the end result was predictable all of us were called into the
46:38principal's office I thought my mom would be on my side instead right in front of the principal and
46:43chase she sighed in annoyance honestly what were you thinking they weren't even wrong why would you hit
46:48someone over that I tugged lightly at the sleeve of her coat mom I said barely above a whisper she
46:53acted like she didn't hear me let's be real she went on you're not exactly pretty and now you've got
46:57this terrible temper too even the bee skin you raised doesn't care about you I don't know how
47:01I ended up with a daughter like you sometimes I wish Isabella were my child instead that night
47:06I cried my eyes out in Central Park when I finally went home my father greeted me with a sharp
47:10slap
47:10across the face he said I closed my eyes and fell into a heavy sleep my messed up schedule left
47:18my mind
47:18blank when I woke up again when I pushed the door open I realized it was already dusk Brian was
47:23out but
47:24his presence lingered everywhere in the apartment I grabbed a slice of pizza and forced myself to eat
47:29then started packing up everything that belonged to me there wasn't much really after I got into
47:33college at 18 I was afraid my parents would treat Brian badly so I took him with me at my
47:38poorest I
47:39could only afford a run-down studio apartment he slept on the bed and I took the couch Brian was
47:44well
47:44over six feet tall and he would bump his head every time he walked through the low doorway so I
47:49worked
47:49non-stop picking up every part-time job I could find until I finally saved enough for a down payment
47:54on a small two-bedroom townhouse love has a way of making you feel like you owe everything so I
47:59bought
47:59Brian more things than he could ever need I never once considered that he didn't want any of it this
48:04time I decided to give him what he actually wanted freedom after I finished packing I walked out of the
48:08home Brian and I had shared the next morning when the staff at the bureau of non-human affairs asked
48:13me
48:13for the third time if I was sure I wanted to terminate my bond with Brian I still nodded when
48:17a human
48:18dissolves a bond unilaterally financial compensation is required I left the townhouse to him at the
48:23office Emily handed me the bond termination certificate then hesitated before asking Miss
48:28Emma would you like to give this to Mr. Brian in person or should we mail it on your behalf
48:32I took
48:32out the letter I had rewritten over and over again the night before please mail it to him I said
48:36and
48:37include this there were only two sentences in the letter I am sorry Brian I took you away without your
48:42consent so this time I am giving your freedom back to you I walked out of city hall got into
48:47my car and
48:48left Los Angeles behind my new life would begin in Florida somewhere by the ocean waiting for warmer
48:53days ahead since my new job was as a lecturer at a university in Miami I rented a small beach
48:58house
48:58with a yard the evening sea breeze carried a faint salty smell as I walked along the shore wearing a
49:03mask the orange glow of the sunset was just right soft and beautiful I took a photo then out of
49:07habit
49:08opened my iMessage chat with Brian scrolling up it was nothing but messages from me photos of little
49:15clouds in the sky the slow growth of a sunflower he rarely replied most of the time all I ever
49:20got
49:20back was a short dismissive yeah the last message in our chat was from the day I heard the truth
49:25I
49:26had asked him where are you I can come pick you up he never replied by then he must have
49:31already
49:31received the bond termination certificate and still he could not even bring himself to say goodbye
49:35all that was left in my chest was a dull spreading ache after thinking it over I realized my new
49:41life should not
49:41be tied to the past so I changed my phone number deleted my old instagram and created a new account
49:46I packed my schedule as full as possible just to earn a few nights of uninterrupted sleep some of
49:51the more outgoing college girls like to chat with me between classes professor Emma why do you always
49:56wear a mask on campus because I'm not very pretty who said that oh my god I swear I will
50:01shut them up
50:02there is no such thing as an ugly girl she sounded completely sincere and the others around her
50:07nodded in agreement just as indignant I would laugh it off and smoothly change the subject
50:11soon enough they started talking about the bee skin they had at home then they asked me professor
50:16what kind of bee skin do you have I did not know how to explain everything that had happened with
50:20Brian so I gave them a simple answer he died they fell silent for a long moment until the bell
50:25rang
50:25and class began after that during my two weekly lectures students would often bring me little things
50:30a starbucks latte a blueberry muffin or a bar of hershey's chocolate I could never finish it all
50:35that was when I started thinking about the little fox bee skin on campus who survived by collecting
50:39recyclables bee skin were usually striking in appearance and fox bee skin were among the most
50:44beautiful of all but this one had deep crisscrossing scars covering both sides of his face he was afraid
50:49of scaring the students so he only came out late at night that evening when I left the lab and
50:54went
50:54looking for him it started pouring out of nowhere a figure darted toward me a fluffy foxtail swaying
51:00behind him I called out softly hey little fox huh the young bee skin turned around and noticed me
51:05immediately lowering his head he quickly covered his face with his hands I'm sorry ma'am I must have
51:10misheard please don't mind me the autumn rain carried a sharp chill he was soaked through water
51:15dripping steadily from his clothes I looked at him and said gently you don't have to hide your face
51:20I've seen you around I have hot water and a dryer in my office come upstairs and get warmed up
51:24he
51:25hesitated then slowly lowered his hands and nodded thank you ma'am once we got into my office under the
51:29bright lights I realized how young he was around 18 or 19 about the same age as my freshman while
51:35he
51:35was showering I went next door to the lab to ask about him my colleague Arthur was always eager to
51:41talk and he filled me in without hesitation that little fox is named Finn I heard he used to be
51:46incredibly good-looking his former handler tried to sell him to the red light district in the underground
51:50beast trade he refused and even bit someone before escaping during the escape his face got slashed up
51:56when the people from the black market saw he was disfigured they beat him badly and threw him into the
52:01ocean lucky for him the university rowing team pulled him out since then he's been scraping by on
52:06campus selecting recyclables I asked where does he live there's a rundown shed behind the hill on campus
52:11Arthur frowned slightly Emma I heard your bee skin passed away you're not thinking about adopting him are
52:16you I bit down on the straw of my hot latte and didn't answer Arto's voice suddenly sharpened he
52:21looks like that who would want to adopt him his words overlapped with the voices from my past she
52:26looks so plain who would ever like her but why we have hearts too we want to love and be
52:30loved just
52:31the same I looked at Arthur and said quietly he isn't ugly he's just been hurt and he's kind he's
52:36sweet
52:37I've seen him share the food he collects with homeless people nearby I've seen him donate his spare change to
52:42the beastkin protection agency so please don't say things like that about him again when I stepped out
52:46of Arthur's office I saw Finn standing in the hallway his blonde hair and tail were still damp
52:51his eyes were brimming with tears feeling a little awkward I changed the subject if it's hard to do
52:56it yourself I can help dry it I took the towel and gently dried his hair and tail then used
53:00a hair dryer
53:01to finish the job it was my first time drying a bee skin's tail and I was clumsy I accidentally
53:05hurt him
53:06more than once and kept apologizing Finn's face turned red it's okay I'm already very grateful to you
53:12when I finally finished I handed him a muffin and the latte he didn't take them after a long pause
53:16as if gathering all his courage he spoke again ma'am I don't eat much could you adopt me my
53:23hand
53:23froze mid-air Finn continued I know I'm not good looking but I can cook wash dishes mow the lawn
53:28I
53:28can get massages and I know how to grow roses I smiled then took off my mask and met his
53:33eyes but
53:33I'm not good looking either would you still choose me Finn gently reached out and touched my cheek his
53:38movements careful almost reverent you're very cute he said softly I want to go with you
53:45my eyes stung I blinked quickly holding back the tears and took his hand as we walked out of the
53:50lab building together the rain had stopped and just like that I chose a family for myself I completed the
53:55paperwork and adopted Finn just like he promised he did everything beautifully he kept the beach house
54:00spotless filled the yard with blooming hydrangeas and brought me hot home-cooked lunches at the lab running
54:05those spectral analyses today nearly killed me Arthur said as he wandered in from next door
54:09shamelessly helping himself he took a big spoonful of beef stew and let out a low whistle damn Finn can
54:15cook this is incredible meanwhile the one at my place does nothing but curl up on the couch and watch
54:20Netflix honestly Arthur should have been grateful Brianne could not cook at all then again maybe he just
54:26never bothered to do anything like that for me that night I had the nightmare again a memory buried deep
54:32in my mind I was 17 Isabella and Logan went with me and Brianne to Universal Studios Orlando halfway
54:38through the day the park was hit by a sudden indiscriminate attack explosions erupted from
54:43every direction Logan shielded Isabella while I grabbed Brianne's hand and ran for the exit we were near
54:49the eastern side of the park but the flying debris still cut into everyone we were only steps away from
54:55the exit when it was blown apart right in front of us at the time I had been running ahead
54:59and never
55:00noticed what happened in that instant but in the dream I saw it clearly both Logan and Brianne threw
55:05themselves toward Isabella without hesitation I was left alone collapsing into rubble and dust with
55:11no one caring whether I lived or died Logan and Brianne were only relieved that Isabella was safe later
55:16I lay unconscious in the ICU for days my parents and Brianne stayed by Isabella's side comforting her as
55:22she cried from the shock a voice echoed in my mind mocking me Emma C no one in this world
55:28loves you it
55:28came from everywhere repeating itself over and over surrounding me until I could not escape it
55:34in the dream my soul seemed to float above crouch down clutching my head as I tried to argue back
55:39that's not true that's not true then faintly someone grabbed my hand and pulled me forward
55:45a voice said Emma that's not true everyone deserves to be loved I woke with a start the first thing
55:51I saw
55:52was Finn sitting at my bedside wiping the cold sweat from my forehead his face tight with worry
55:57when he saw my eyes open he finally let out a breath tears slipped down my face before I could
56:02stop them Finn can you hold me he climbed onto the bed and pull me into his arms I clung
56:07to him like a
56:08child pouring out everything I had been holding inside Finn gently patted my back murmuring soft
56:13reassurances I did not have to worry about him snapping at me to leave him alone I did not have
56:17to worry
56:18about him brushing me off and disappearing into distractions and I definitely did not have to worry
56:22about him looking at me with cold indifference I want to hear a song I whispered Finn hummed softly
56:27you are my sunshine my only sunshine you make me happy when skies are gray with Finn taking care of
56:33me I started getting better little by little the sunlight was especially bright today Finn and I were
56:39in the backyard hanging sheets out to dry we ended up laughing and playing around on either side of the
56:44fabric the breeze lifting it between us then someone called my name from beyond the fence
56:48I turned around Brian was standing there the hanger slipped from my hand and fell straight onto the
56:54grass Finn noticed the shift in my expression immediately and stepped in front of me without
56:59hesitation I tugged lightly on the hem of Finn's flannel shirt it's okay I know him go take care of
57:04the
57:04blue crabs in the kitchen I just need a minute to talk to him we walked over to a wooden
57:08bench by the
57:09shore the ocean breeze tangled my hair I forced a small awkward smile it's been a while Brian he
57:14stared at me his voice cold who's that fox my new fostered bee skin