Juno leaned back against the table, both hands braced on the wooden surface, her gaze fixed on Daniel with sharper intensity than before. Something was bothering her, and this time, she didn't hold it back.
"What do you think…" she said slowly, her tone pressing, "actually happened to that kid? Brandon, I mean."
Valerie turned as well, waiting.
Daniel fell silent for a moment. His jaw tightened, as if the question touched something he didn't want to think about too deeply.
"Why does the word 'adopted'… sound so scary to you?" Juno continued, not breaking her focus.
Daniel exhaled slowly. He lowered his head, his hands clasping together again before eventually loosening.
"Because…" his voice was low, almost a murmur, "I don't believe it's real adoption."
The words made something in Valerie's chest drop.
Daniel lifted his face slowly, looking at them one by one. "At Heaven Foundation… there's an area not everyone can access."
Juno straightened immediately.
