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By the tiot Caleb back to the Whidbey Island house, he was barely functional He hadn’t spoken or cried Even seeing Willa didn’t have any kind of effect on hiot hi like hell I’d get some kind of reaction out of him

But there was nothing Just like there was nothing three days later

He stayed in the saed and pleaded with hih to drink so more

It was like I wasn’t even there

“Caleb,” I whispered as I settled my lips on the back of his neck We were in the sa in the middle of the bed with my arms wrapped around him from behind Baby had becootten back to the house, and I had no doubt the big aniCaleb’s front and while Caleb wasn’t interacting with hi only left his side when Eli took him outside

I rubbed Caleb’s ar anywhere So you take as long as you need to, but I will be here when you’re ready to coht of the single tear sliding down his cheek hurt like hell, it also brought a certain measure of relief

Because it was so

And right now, I’d literally take any proof that he could still hear me

Wherever he was

Chapter 24

Caleb

You’re Daddy’s sweet boy, aren’t you, Caleb?

Yes, Dad

Daddy… say it

Yes, Daddy

No one will ever love you like I do, you know that, right?

Yes, Daddy… but it hurts, Daddy

It’ll only hurt this first time… Do you believe me, my sweet boy?”

“Yes, Daddy”

I squeezed hter as bile crawled up the back of my throat I waited for the nausea to pass and tried to take in s