m her hand, clattering

the shattering

wh

months researching it, filling

en he got in, dreamin

a camp; it wa

divorce, signed the papers, al

her? By snatching away some

rness of

Did he think her compliance

lling down his cheeks. "I really

him into a hug. "I kn

t ached

k. Straight to voicem

ring her. D

ter, Chloe's I

with a young girl Ava pre

he robotics ca

botics camp orientation! Future innovator right here! Thanks to som

You're such a great au

hed over Ava. A

Chloe was publicly celebra

"Come on, Leo. We're

ion harden

community center

was in the

he entrance, laughing

a's voice

ile fading when h

here? You're making a sce

y Ava's presence,

ot, Daddy! I

rembled but held

rupy sweet, the kind he used whe

mom. And Lily really, really wanted this. You're a generous boy, rig

asking Leo to sacrifice

stomping his foo

iant. This meant

ened. The gentle

. Your mother needs to teach you better manner

Ava. "This is

tears, loud, he

im close, sh

ense it was a physical

ast life, her explosive

ep breath, pu

Leo back his spot. It means so much to him. I'm... I'm begging

licker of something –

as quickly

med to think better of it. "Look, I'll buy Leo that new S

tand. He would n

oy for a sha

deep, profo

e Chloe. Always. Her fami

would always

the core" didn't ev

alk to the camp director. Maybe t

d, trying to reach t

arm, his grip sur

, who seemed to be there with him, moved to

Mark hissed. "You're embar

shouted, trying to pull fr

lling. Her voice cracke

d over, concerned, but

ed her, hi

ing of Chloe's father

piness was, in his twisted mi

, even at his ow

but firmly escorted Ava and a

d by the registration

iguez-Thompson, h

Ms. Rodriguez. Mr. Thompson called this morning. He said Leo was no longer able to a

inal. Irr

o away, Chloe approached th

ng. Leo is such a sweet boy to let Lily

th false gratitude.

ide Chloe, putting

. You should try to be more

er betrayal, another

ain in her chest,

latant manipulation,

ed to get Leo

, Ava. Just like you always have. If you were just a lit

usations. The sa

s her fault,