Damien POV
I stared after Marcus's retreating form, still caught in a haze of disbelief.
Then I heard small footsteps behind me.
Leo came to my side, carefully lifting Scout from the ground into his arms.
She remained asleep, her body limp with trust, her small head tucked against his chest as if nothing in the world had changed.
"Are you mad at me?" he asked quietly, watching Marcus's car disappear down the street. "Did I say something wrong?"
I knelt and ruffled his hair. "No. You didn't do anything wrong. That was just... adults talking."
Leo nodded, though he didn't look convinced.
We stood there for a moment longer, watching as Marcus's car pulled away-accelerating faster than necessary.
I exhaled slowly and looked down at Leo. His eyelids were already drooping, his movement
