[ Note: Chapter is emotionally heavy, it contains scenes of child abuse and may be distressing for some readers. ]

| 16 YEARS AGO: FLASHBACK |

Grayson smiled, lips quivering, eyes brimming with tears he stared at the paper trembling slightly in his hand. His heart felt overwhelmed, his lashes fluttered as he blinked back the tears that threatened to fall.

It was early 7th grade, but even though he was a 12-year-old, he couldn't afford not to have gotten this.

He glanced at the report sheet again to make sure this wasn't a mistake. First position.

A small, disbelieving laugh slipped out of him, quick and breathless, like even...