Chapter 117

My breath hitched.

“I—”

“And I would never understand why the fuck Mutti would want to hold a memorial for him when she was the one he mistreated the most.” He shook his head. “Why does she want to remember him?”

“Oh, Alaric…” My voice was a broken whisper. There was nothing I could do or say that would make things feel better. Both our fathers were terrible people, and that was as far as we could relate. How could I give him comforting words when I would never accept those words myself?

“I don’t want to fucking remember. It’s why I need to get away from all this right now. I do have work to do, but I want you with me, Meadow.” He pushed my hair back. “I need you with me.” His lips twitched. “And to be honest, I can tell you need a break too. Don’t think I haven’t noticed your sister’s been trying to reach you.”

A gasp escaped my mouth. Of course, he’d noticed. I had no doubt about that. “Just come with me. It’ll be for just two days. Maybe three, if you happe