When Alexis finally tried to apologize, her grandmother stopped her with a firm hand. “Don’t,” she said. “Not for him.” Alexis shook her head, tears still falling. “I don’t understand how it happened,” she said.
Her grandmother sat across from her, calm and steady. “A man who wants you to disappear will always find a reason,” she said. “You don’t cry for someone like that.” They made tea—real tea, strong and grounding—and Tyler disappeared into the spare room.