He has taken from us for longer than you know. Not only money, though that is part of it. He has taken patience, attention, forgiveness, and used each one as proof that consequences can be delayed forever.

I do not want our son destroyed by his own choices. But I refuse to let him destroy you, Carol, or what little peace I can still leave behind.

“Stop,” Bradley murmured.

I lowered the page. “You asked me for help. This is what help looks like now.” His breaths had gone short and shallow. “There is one more person you need to meet.”

I turned toward the hallway. “Carol?”

The bedroom door opened. Carol came out on her forearm crutches, moving slowly but keeping her head raised. She’d changed into a navy sweater and pulled her hair back.