Gabriel could hardly believe his ears, his voice a hoarse murmur, as if trying to convince himself. "No way… Lydia promised she'd bond with me, swore we'd never part. She wouldn't leave…"
His hands gripped the doorframe, knuckles white, as if he could crush the wood. He turned to Henry and Agnes, his face twisting into a smile uglier than a sob. "She's just mad at me, right? You're covering for her, aren't you? It's okay if she's upset—I'm the best at cheering her up…"
As pups, when he'd snatch her snacks and her eyes would brim with tears, he'd whip out a lollipop bigger than his face to make her giggle. Later, when she'd scold him for being reckless, he'd pester her shamelessly until her frown cracked into a laugh.
"Mom, Dad, tell me where she is. I'll make it right…"
"Enough!" Agnes
