So we brought him the letter, and we told him the choice was his, and we meant it, and we would have honored whatever he chose.

That we happened to agree with the choice he made was almost beside the point.

The point was that it was his to make.

“Your grandfather sent a letter,” Julian told him gently.

“He says he wants to see you, to tell you he’s sorry.

You don’t have to.

But we wanted you to know he asked.”

Lucas went rigid, his small hands beginning to tremble.