Delphine lunged to intervene and I held up a hand that stopped her cold.

“Auberon, listen to me.

For a long time I failed you.

I let your mother turn your life into a pressure cooker, and I funded it because it made us look good on paper.

I bought you tutors instead of giving you my time.” His lip began to tremble.

“Starting today, the pressure is gone,” I said, my voice thick.

“You don’t have to be a genius.