My sister left her newborn outside my house with a note : “Please watch them for a while ♪, thanks babysistter! Lol”. I picked up the baby and walked straight into her anniversary party without an invitation. The moment the door opened, the room went quiet, and her smile slowly disappeared.

I thought about the “bonds” I used to envy. The fake smiles, the filtered photos. I realized now that bonds aren’t posted; they are forged. They are forged in 2:00 AM feedings, in difficult conversations, in the courage to stand up and say “This is wrong.”

I kissed Lily’s forehead.

“Ready for your story?” I asked her.

She cooed.

I wasn’t just a scientist anymore. I wasn’t just the “cold” sister. I was an aunt. I was a protector. And for the first time in my life, my experiment had yielded a perfect result.