CHAPTER 49
UNLOADING MY MIND
ALEXANDER
I watched my daughter force a smile that didn't reach her eyes, and for a moment, I was back there. Fifteen years old, standing in the hallway while her mother packed suitcases. The same smile. The same way of holding herself together until she was alone.
"Camille." I stood, crossing to where she stood by the window. "Come here."
She shook her head. "I'm fine, Dad. Really."
"I didn't ask if you were fine. I asked you to come here."
She hesitated. Then she let me pull her into my arms, her body stiff at first, then slowly relaxing, her forehead dropping to my shoulder.
We stood like that for a long moment. The kitchen was quiet. I could feel Isabella's eyes on us, but she didn't speak, didn't move, didn't do anything except let us have this.
"
