Norman’s POV
The heavy front door clicked shut behind Damon, and the silence he left in the living room was somehow louder than Grandfather’s roaring. I kept my eyes glued to my screen, my thumbs mashing buttons. Pew-pew-pew! Another alien bit the dust. Kate was sitting there, stiff as a board, her face a hilarious mask of fury and humiliation. Grandfather looked like he’d just swallowed a whole lemon. It was beautiful, really.
I finished my level, the victory music jingling in my ears. I stretched, letting out an exaggerated yawn. “Well, this has been a blast,” I said, standing up. “I’m out.”
I didn’t even look at Grandfather as I walked toward the door. He didn’t say a word. No thundering “Stop right there, boy!” No lecture about duty. Nothing. Why would he? I wasn’t the golden grandc
