el

silence filled the space between us. I gri

ht, Colton," I began, trying to keep my vo

?" he snapped, star

econd, his expression softened, and he

mmy

n my chest. Maybe my boy wa

e finished, and the hope died

th agape. "My fault? Co

able all the time!" he spat out, his words a torrent of long-fe

ty poured out of him, a poison

cery store, you plan Dad's stupid parties. Campbell runs a business!

rment, was now an insult. A dismissa

lights blurring into streaks of gold. It felt like my heart was being squeeze

eren't just for his words, but for the seventeen years of sacrif

seat, let out a derisive snor

his voice flat and devoid of any em

added, her voice dripping with faux sympathy. "Be

oking at me. "You're so old. Why are

ars st

ed inside me. The immense, crushing weight of my gri

saw his father. The same arrogant tilt of his head. The same dism

ing that was supposed to serve them, and when it fail

ull the car over, get out, and just walk away. Walk away from the sterile, lov

iveway of our estate, another car was al

colored pantsuit, looking like she had just stepped

perfectly performed concern. "I was so worried when I heard. Jacks

and went to her, his posture changin

l," he said, his vo

e leaned into her touch like a sunflower seeking

sful stepmother, the adoring son. And me, the inconvenient, emba