“I’m so-so sorry,” Aleah choked out, her voice barely above a whisper as she bowed her head and stared at the floor at her feet. Her shoulders were slumped, her hands clasped in front of her on her lap, where she twisted her fingers nervously.
Her words stopped Kade from wearing down the threads of the carpet in front of the television with his bare feet. He turned to face Aleah. Puzzled by the apology that he hadn’t expected and couldn’t fathom why it was being given.
Then, seeking clarity, he looked at his grandmother, who sat on the opposite end of the couch with Aleah. It was the same couch he had been sharing with Aleah just hours before and had thought everything was right with the world, now not so much.
He hoped Linda would know why Aleah was apologizing, but he quickly realiz
