Chapter 22

Felix supported Linda as they waited at the detention center. After a long time, they saw a hunched and haggard figure being led out by a prison warden. Felix almost couldn't believe that he was looking at Gordon. His father's hair was much grayer than before, and he'd lost plenty of weight. There were also some bruises on his face. Linda burst into tears when she saw him. She reached for his hand but couldn't touch him through the glass screen separating them. Felix picked up the phone, choked up as he asked, "Dad, are you okay? Why have you lost so much weight? Have they been mistreating you?" Gordon shook his head. He felt bitter heartache as he looked at Linda and Felix. It had only taken just over a month for their family to fall apart, and it had all started with their maltreatment of Isabel. Tears streamed down his face as regret crashed over him. He said, "It's all my fault. I hurt Izzy, and I dragged you two down with me." Felix and Linda wept with him as they, too, were