It could be refused.

Julian was refusing it, in real time, on a phone from a hotel room, and I loved him more in that moment than I ever had.

Chapter 20 — My Father Could Have Killed Him

Julian landed at half past five in the morning and was at the hospital by six.

Lucas was asleep by then, finally, under the warming blankets, his breathing slow and even at last.

Julian stood at the foot of the bed for a long time, just looking at him, and then he covered his face with both hands and wept, silently, so as not to wake our son.