Only My Mia Cara

It was bedtime.But not for us.

While the others were fast asleep in their warm beds, the three of us were stuck in the back kitchen — washing a mountain of dishes under dim yellow light.

The silence between us was… awkward.

Dante was focused on scrubbing, jaw tense, eyes low.Jake?He was scrubbing his plate like he was in a scene from some dramatic movie — head tilted, soap bubbles flying, his expression way too serious.

I couldn't take it anymore.

"I'm sorry for dragging you both into this," I said quietly.

Dante was quick to answer.

"It's not your fault either."

Jake, of course, didn't hold back.

"Your clumsy baby sister just slipped."

I glanced at him.

"Then why did you help me?"

He kept scrubbing for a beat, then paused.

"Ask me if I regret helping you."

We waited.He smirked, but his voice turned strangely flat.

"Yes. I do."

Dante and I exchanged a glance.Was he serious?

Jake… he was always smiling, always joking, always annoying.But sad?Vulnerable?

Never.

There was something strange about the way he said it.

"If you don't want to do the dishes, you can stop," Dante said, his tone half-serious.

Jake shrugged.

"I want to. Unless you want me getting scolded again by Ugly James."

Dante and I both chuckled, unexpectedly.

Jake turned to us, dramatic.

"What? What's so funny?"

"Just hope James isn't outside the door," Dante smirked.

"He'd eat me alive," Jake said, pretending to shiver.

I smiled softly and looked at both of them.

"We won't let him."

For a second… the silence didn't feel so heavy.We were three kids.Just tired. Dirty. A little bruised.But… not alone.

Not tonight.

It took us almost half an hour to finish all the dishes.By the end of it, my arms were sore, my fingers numb, and Jake had sighed more times than I could count.

"That was a long, devastating night," Jake groaned, tossing the last plate aside."I should've been happy in my cozy bed."

I gave a small nod.

"So… can we sleep now? Maybe?"

Dante nodded.

"Mia—" he began, but stopped himself.

His eyes flicked toward Jake.Then back to me.

"Danna," he said softly instead."Can you really sleep alone?"

I hesitated.My heart sank.

"I've never slept without my sister."

Jake rolled his eyes and muttered—

"Like she's your stuffed toy."

I looked at him, hurt.

Dante immediately glared at Jake.

"It was a joke! God, chill!" Jake said, raising his hands in surrender.

But it didn't feel like a joke to me.

It was true.

Milly had been my safe space. My warmth.Without her beside me… it would feel like sleeping in the dark.

Alone.

Dante stepped closer, his voice lower now.

"I'll talk to James, okay? Maybe he'll let you—"

I shook my head quickly.

"We already caused too much trouble. It's fine. I'll manage."

Jake looked at both of us and — for once — didn't smirk.

He nodded, a little awkwardly.

"We should just… buy her a toy or something."

A toy wouldn't help.But the way they both cared — even Jake in his weird way — made me feel… a little less alone.

Still, I wasn't ready for what came next.

Sleeping without Milly…Wasn't just about sleeping.

It was like losing the only light I had left.

They waved goodbye.

Dante gave a small nod.Jake… half-heartedly lifted his hand.

I walked alone, following the ward through the narrow corridor.Each step felt heavier.

We stopped in front of a rusty metal door. The ward unlocked it with an old key and pushed it open.

"Sleep here. No trouble tonight," he said, dusting off a crooked bed in the corner.

I nodded, too scared to argue.He left.The door shut behind him with a thud.

I looked around.

The room was small, ugly, and suffocating.No windows.Just a single bed shoved into the corner.

Peeling walls. A cracked ceiling.

There was no light. Just faint moonlight slipping under the door.

My eyes wandered the room.Shadows danced across the walls like twisted monsters.I hugged my knees, trying not to cry.

Suddenly, I heard the click of the lock.

I froze.

The door opened just a little… and someone peeked in.

"Dante…" I breathed out, relieved.

"Can't sleep?" he asked softly.

I shook my head.

"The rooftop's locked," he muttered, stepping inside.

I frowned slightly.

"This room is creepy."

He gave me that familiar half-smile, walking over and gently patting my head.

"It's okay. I'm here. No one will do anything to you."

And I believed him.

"I know," I whispered.

"Lay down, mia cara."

I obeyed.

He sat beside the bed and gently brushed my hair with his fingers — just like my uncle used to when I was little and scared.

A memory flashed.

I was four. Sitting in my pajamas.My uncle tucked me in, a soft smile on his face.

"Your mom and dad are on a business trip. When they come back, they'll buy you lots of toys," he said.

"What about Milly?" I asked.

"For her too."

"Uncle… do Mommy and Daddy love me?"

His smile faltered. Just slightly. It didn't reach his eyes.

"They do…"

"Then why don't they come back home?"

He scooped me into his arms. Like he didn't want to talk now.

"They're just busy, sweetie," he whispered, brushing my hair."Close your eyes. Goodnight, Danna."

"Danna! Danna! WAKE UP!"

I jolted awake to the voice of James, banging on the door.

My body ached all over from the hard bed and the cold air.

"You forgot your duty again, you lazy brat," he barked.

"S-Sorry…" I muttered, quickly sitting up.

"Don't apologize. Just get to work."

I didn't argue. Just nodded and followed.

Outside, I saw Dante already scrubbing the floor.He looked up and waved at me with a tired smile.

Jake… he was scrubbing the same spot for the millionth time, like he was trying to erase the entire floor.

The other kids were laughing, playing freely.

And then I heard her voice.

"Danna!"

Milly.

She ran to me, her arms wide.

"Did you sleep well? I missed you!"

I smiled, bending down to kiss her forehead.

"Yes, I slept well," I lied softly."What about you?"

"Me too!" she grinned, clutching my dress.

And just like that, despite the ache in my bones and the fear that still lingered in my chest…I felt warm again.