She had only stepped out for a few minutes — just a simple favor, giving a friend a ride to work.
Nothing unusual. Nothing that hinted her entire world was about to collapse.

But when she returned, her home — the place filled with laughter, toys, tiny footsteps, and bedtime songs — was engulfed in flames. 
Smoke poured from the windows. Neighbors screamed. Time froze.

Inside were five little lives.
Deontae. Heaven. Neveah. Jabari. And baby Loy.
Five names she had whispered during bedtime stories. Five hearts she had carried since the day they were born.

She didn’t think — she ran.
Into the fire.
Out again.
Back in.
Again and again, lungs burning, skin scorching, screaming their names until her voice broke. 
Refusing to believe that the flames could take what she loved most.

It was her birthday.
The day she should have been celebrating life.
Instead, it became the day life shattered.

All five of her children, gone in one unthinkable night.
Five angels, taken far too soon.

A mother who walked in expecting an ordinary morning…
And found a grief no heart should ever bear.