Nathan Lynch didn't understand the conflicts between adults. He just lowered his eyes, tears streaming down his face, completely absorbed in the pain of losing his toy rabbit.
It wasn't just about the toy rabbit; what his stepmom had said also hurt him terribly. He didn't want to be someone that nobody liked.
Naomi Kenway was visibly moved. Ian hadn't cried in a long time, but the suppressed, childish sobs from his dreams always wrapped around her like vines. Every time she recalled them, her chest would tighten until she could barely breathe.
Looking at Nathan, Naomi Kenway seemed to see the shadow of another small child. A flicker of panic went through her, and she pulled Ian a little tighter into her embrace.
With her other hand, she took a handkerchief from her pocket and gently wiped Nathan Lynch's cheeks. "Nathan, please don't cry, okay?"
