On Christmas

started crying on the phone.

“I should’ve been there.”

“No,” I said quickly. “No, this is not your fault.”

“I should’ve known they’d try something.”

“Daniel.”

“They hate me.”

“They hurt children. That is on them.”

A nurse murmured something near him.

“I have to go,” he said. “But Claire?”

“Yes?”

“Our family is you, me, Lily, and Emma. That’s it. No more pretending continue reading …