Chapter 52

Ollie POV

“Ollie, listen to me.” Grandma Elena knelt down beside my chair, taking my hands in hers.

“Your mama would never, ever leave you. Not for anything. Do you understand? He loves you more than he loves himself. More than he loves anyone or anything in the whole world.”

But I was shaking my head before she even finished. “I have to apologize. I have to tell him I’m sorry. I have to promise I’ll be good, that I’ll keep quiet about Dad being back, that I won’t tell anyone about the work. I have to make him understand that I’ll be better, that I won’t make trouble anymore.”

The words were tumbling out faster now, the plan forming in my head with desperate clarity. If I could just apologize right, if I could promise to be good enough, maybe Mama wouldn’t leave. Maybe he’d forgive me for being bad.

“Ollie, you don’t have to—”

“Please!” I begged, pulling at Grandma Elena’s hands. “Please take me to Mama! I have to tell him I’m sorry! I have