Julian had taken his phone and broken it and told him I was too busy with my important job to care about a confused old man.

Chloe had told him that if he ever said a word to anyone, she would have him declared incompetent and put away in a locked ward where no one would ever visit.

I held my father’s hands, which were shaking, and I made him a promise.

“That is not going to happen,” I said.

“None of that is going to happen.

Do you understand me?