Chapter 42

Kaelon’s POV I watched Aaron, still sitting across from me, staring at his plate with an expression that could only be described as disbelief. He let out a bitter laugh, and I felt my gut twist at the sound. It wasn’t the laugh of someone finding humor in the absurd; it was the laugh of someone teetering on the edge of frustration and resignation, about to snap. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” he said, shaking his head, as though what I had said was beyond the realm of possibility. His voice was low, but sharp, a tone that I knew far too well—the one he used when he was getting ready to let his emotions fly, whether I liked it or not. “What’s so funny?” I asked, leaning back, watching him closely. I had a feeling I knew where this was going. “Is it really that easy for you, Dad?” His words came out like daggers. He locked eyes with me then, as if daring me to answer. “If it’s that simple, why the hell didn’t you fall in love after Mom? Why the hell did you keep yourself closed off from