(Aspen’s POV)
Everyone looked at Holly.
Shock evident as they tried to process what had just been said.
Like someone had hit pause on reality.
Henry’s mouth opened slightly. Ryan and Reese went rigid.
Even Victoria’s polite expression faltered.
Charles looked like someone had punched him in the gut.
“The shelter,” he repeated, voice rough.
Holly nodded. “Yeah. It was not that bad. It was just… crowded. But Franklin was really nice. He always said I reminded him of his granddaughter.”
No one asked who Franklin was.
No one asked how long we lived there.
It was like the words had stolen their ability to speak.
Charles shook his head slowly, eyes wet again. “I’m so sorry,” he whispered. “God, I’m so sorry.”
I swallowed hard. “What’s passed is passed,” I said, because I did not kno
