Calder turned slowly toward me, a heartbreaking realization washing over him. “All my life,” he whispered, “my father and grandfather told me you left because you were a bitter, angry girl.

That you cut everyone off because you couldn’t handle not being the most important person in the room.”

A sad smile touched my face. “That sounds like a narrative Alden would craft.”

“I believed part of it,” Calder admitted, ashamed. “When I was younger.”

“You were a child, Calder.”

“I still feel like a fool.”