I stiffened in her hold, unable to relax while she sobbed on my shoulders. Instead my eyes found my father, but his were also red and teary, rapidly blinking so the tears wouldn’t fall.

Angling my head, I turned to Rowan, but he was no different, sniffing every now and then, and my brow pulled together confused.

“I am so sorry,” Mom whispered, her voice filled with so much anguish and regret that my chest tightened. “I am sorry, Raya.”

My eyes widened as I heard my name, the first time she was using it, and whatever ice that had encased me shattered.

“Mom.” I sighed in her hold, my...