Ashley's POV
I walked over to the reading corner in the orphanage and picked up a brightly colored picture book. Its pages were filled with cute animals and simple drawings—the kind of content the kids could easily follow. I lowered myself onto the floor on the other side of the group.
"Hey, kids," I said softly, a smile warming my voice.
A few of them turned toward me. I opened the book and began reading in a relaxed, natural tone.
"Once upon a time, there was a little bunny who absolutely loved carrots."
I pointed at the illustrations, adding lively gestures to match the story.
The kids were hooked instantly. Their eyes brightened, no longer heavy with yawns or drifting toward everything else in the room. Slowly but surely, they shuffled closer, forming a cozy little
