Chapter 246: Empty Spaces

RILEY   "I don't know how to be his brother," I admitted, the words coming out quieter than I'd intended. "I don't know how to be anyone's son. Sophia trained me to survive, to make her happy, to fulfill her dreams of being Xenois mate and I failed her, because I got a change of heart, and Andy... Andy showed me things that made me question everything I thought I understood about loyalty and love. I'm not sure there's enough left of me to build relationships on."   Dr. Sloane's expression shifted from professional concern to something more personal, more genuine.   "You're five years old, Riley. You've survived things that would break most adults, but you're still here, still fighting for the people you care about. That tells me there's far more of you left than you realize."     I wanted to believe her, wanted to think that the hollow feeling in my chest was temporary rather than permanent.   But every time I tried to access the emotions she was talking about -- tried to feel affectio