Monica made quick work of her sweet potato, while Anastasia just lingered, holding hers and staring off into space.


    Monica nudged her. "Ana, why aren''t you eating? It''s so sweet and fluffy-just like the ones we used to have back in school."


    Anastasia blinked, returning from her thoughts, and gave a small smile. "I''m stuffed. I went overboard earlier and now I can''t eat another bite."


    "Well, if you''re not having it, I will," Monica said, zero hesitation. She took the sweet potato from Anastasia, peeled it, and started eating.


    "How do you always have room for more?" Anastasia teased with augh. "Watch out, you''ll have to live at the gym again tomorrow."


    There''s really no secret to staying in shape-just eat less and move more.


    "I''ll worry about that after I eat," Monica said, polishing off the rest. "Ana, can you give me a ride home?"


    “Sure,” Anastasia replied. "Your ce or your parents'' house?"


    "My parents''," Monica said, her tone a little softer. "I used to always dream of getting away from them, living my own life. But now, all I want is to be close. Ana, I saw gray hair on my dad the other day. They''re really getting old. They need us, you know?"


    You always think your parents getting old is something far off. Then, suddenly, it''s here.


    Anastasia''s mind drifted to Tavon''s call from earlier. Something about his voice had been off. He hadn''t been back to Riverdale in months, which just wasn''t like him.


    After dropping Monica off, Anastasia sat in her car a moment, then dialed Tavon''s number.


    No answer. That only made her worry more.


    Willowbrook.


    The Morton family.


    Tavon wandered around town all day before finally heading home and sinking into the couch. He sat there, motionless, for what felt like forever.


    The house felt empty, drained of life.


    "Dad, you''re back. Why''re you just sitting out here? Aren''t you going to bed?" Sean''s voice drifted down from the stairs.


    Tavon straightened up, patting the seat next to him. "You''re home. Come here, son. Let''s have a chat."


    Sean had always been a little scared of Tavon-his dad was strict, always finding fault, and for as long as he could remember, Sean had felt like he''d never measure up.


    He sat down, head bowed, looking like he''d rather be anywhere else. Tavon shook his head.


    Of his three kids, the daughters were all stars-sharp, decisive, born for business. Sean, though, was hesitant, always second-guessing, never able to take the lead. Tavon looked closely at Sean and realized how much weight he''d lost. His face was pale as paper.


    Ever since he''d donated bone marrow to his sister, Sean seemed to catch every bug going around.


    Tavon wanted to scold him for being so weak, but looking at his gaunt son, he just couldn''t do it. Finally, he managed to ask, "Do you regret giving your sister your bone marrow? If you could go back, would you do it again?"


    Sandy''s selfishness had torn this family apart.


    Sean looked him in the eye and nodded, steady and sure. "I''d do it again."


    "You..." Tavon sighed heavily, disappointment thick in his voice. "You''re such a fool.”


    Sean answered quietly, “Dad, she''s my sister-my only sister. Didn''t you and Mom always tell me to look out for her?"


    Tavon was speechless, just gazing at his frail son and heaving a long, tired sigh, "It''s fate. Maybe even karma. I still have a bit of money left, Sean. want to send you to


    Nethends to get better th


    don''t have toe


    And if you


    ...then


    don''t."


    He needed someone to carry on the Morton name.


    Sandy had already turned on her own parents; who knew if she''de after Sean next?


    "Dad, what''s wrong? I''m not going to the Nethends." Sean shook his head. "The Morton family is only holding together because of my sister. If I bail now, what kind of brother does that make me?"


    Seeing Sean still defending Sandy


    made Tavon snap. "Why do you care


    about her? If it weren''t for her, we


    wouldn''t be in this mess. J. never


    should''ve let you donate your bone marrow-should''ve let her die in that hospital."


    Thinking about all Sandy had done, Tavon was filled with nothing but bitterness and anger.


    "Dad, how can you say that? She''s your daughter. How could you even think that?" Sean''s eyes were wide with disbelief.


    Tavon let out a cold, humorlessugh. "A daughter like that is too much for me. If I could do it all over, I''d rather not have had her at all."


    "Dad, I gave her my bone marrow because I wanted to. She''s my sister-how could I just watch her die?"


    Tavon, heated and unable to hold back, burst out, "We treated her like family what did we get in return?s She treated us like enemies! You want to know why your mother''s bedridden, why we lost everything, why I had that stroke? It was all her."