"Hey… you think my dad is okay?" Chaewon asked.
Ace couldn't see her expression, but she sounded upset. She held back her tears.
All this time, Chaewon hadn't wanted to worry anyone about her family, mainly because everyone on her team was an orphan. Ace and the boys often said they had no one but themselves to worry about.
Mercer's parents were abusive and treated him like trash. That kept her quiet about her deepest worries.
"Is there a chance he wasn't forced into a Gate?" Chaewon asked. "Please, tell me what you think, Ace. Ah… I'm sorry, but I couldn't—"
Ace wrapped an arm around her back, pulled her closer, and stroked her hair. He was good at it, and Chaewon relaxed.
None of her strands snagged in his hand as he combed through her hair, the motion soothing.
Before Chaewon realized it, she was lying against Ace, relying on him for support. He cradled her.
"He'll be fine," Ace replied.
"Really?" Chaewon asked, just to make sure he meant it.
