“You’re such an idiot. How could you do that to her? You said you would protect her, but you couldn’t even do that.” She growls angrily.

Alex swallows thickly. She isn’t sure why she is suddenly angry. Maybe it’s because of how upset her mother sounds. Or maybe it’s because she hasn’t heard her mother raise her voice this way in months. She isn’t sure, but either way, it’s disconcerting to listen to.

“That’s enough!” She snaps furiously, turning around and marching back towards the house with her fists clenched tight at her sides.

Her mother stays seated under the tree, her expression unreadable as her shoulders shake slightly, her...