Mirabe locked eyes with Shawn, her expression calm andposed. She nodded, "Let''s get Sparky inside first."


    "Alright," Shawn said, shifting his focus. He didn''t bother asking about the password again. Instead, he bent down, picked up the cardboard box from the ground, and carried it inside.


    Before they got there, Shawn had given Zach a heads-up call, subtly finding out that Zach was busy with a dinner and wouldn''t be home anytime soon.


    As they stepped into the living room, they were greeted with chaos. Mirabe coughed, her brow furrowing. "Dad, are we sure we''re in the right ce?"


    The coffee table was a mess, covered with peanut shells, candy wrappers, fruit peels, and a dozen or so open cans of soda and beer. Strange ribbons were strewn across the couch, and the carpet was littered with confetti, like it had just survived a wild party.


    Shawn, still holding the box, let out a cold, sarcasticugh after a moment.


    "That jerk," he muttered. "I''ve nearly broken my back dealing with Sparky these past few days, and here Zach is, living it up at home?"


    Thinking he could just enjoy life without a care, leaving his responsibilities behind?


    How naive!


    Mirabe nced at Shawn and silently lit a metaphorical candle for Zach in her mind. Without saying a word, she bent down to release Sparky from his leash, letting him roam free.


    Excited by the new surroundings, Sparky bolted around happily, showing no signs of shyness.


    Quickly, Mirabe took the box from Shawn, pulled out Sparky''s bowls, filled one with water and the other with dog food, making sure the little guy wouldn''t go hungry.


    Once they had settled everything, the pair left theplex.


    In the car, Mirabe pondered for a moment before pulling out her phone to send Zach a message on Messenger.


    "Zach, your son knocked over Dad''s favorite porcin vase and broke it. He''s not in the best of moods. Tread lightly."


    Zach, receiving the message, instantly panicked, his good mood from the dinner with colleagues evaporating.


    He quickly replied, "Did Dad say anything else?"


    "Nothing at all."


    Seeing this, Zach''s panic only grew. Silence was even more terrifying.


    A colleague asked him about his order, but he waved them off, turned aside, and continued to type on Messenger. "Sis, you have to calm Dad down. He listens to you the most. I might stay away from home for a while."


    Zach knew well that his dad wouldn''t take it out on the dog. The me would fall squarely on him.


    If he went back now, his legs wouldn''t be the only thing in jeopardy.


    Mirabe sent him a cheeky emoji in response.


    Zach, taking it as a sign of reassurance from his sister, breathed a sigh of relief. "Sis, I''m so d you told me about this. You''re a lifesaver."


    If he had gone back without a clue, he''d be in deep trouble.


    Mirabe, raising an eyebrow, replied with another cheeky emoji, then put her phone away.


    Zach didn''t send any more messages. He turned back to his colleagues. "Actually,


    I might have to skip the hangout at your ce after dinner."


    With his mind preupied with the news of Shawn''s bad mood, Zach lost all interest in partying. "Yeah, I''ve got some stuff to deal with tonight too."


    After dinner, everyone went their separate ways, and Zach drove back to his apartmentplex.


    Upon reaching his floor and standing in front of his door, he ced his index finger on the scanner, and the lock clicked open.