Understand the difference, Charlotte, because I need you to carry it: Theo did not threaten his family.

His family was already destroyed — you and Solomon destroyed it, eighteen months ago.

All Theo did was tell the truth about it.

And for that, the grown-ups who were supposed to love him taught him to be ashamed and afraid.

That is what you did.

Not protection.

That.” I stood, and I set down one rule before I left, and I made it non-negotiable: from that moment forward, permanently, she would never again be left alone with my son.

She opened her mouth.