Chapter 4

I sat on the wooden bench at the edge of the classroom, watching Joshua put the finishing touches on his LEGO castle. The school's art project display had drawn a small crowd of parents admiring their children's creations, but my eyes were fixed solely on my son. His tongue poked out in concentration as he carefully placed the final turret, his small fingers working with surprising precision for a five-year-old.

"Look, Mommy!" Joshua's face lit up as he waved me over. "I made a castle with a moat and everything!"

I knelt beside him, genuinely impressed by the detailed structure.…