Ford wasn't new. He had been beside Dylan long before loyalty became a choice.
The things that no one knew, he knew them all.
His gaze dipped toward the little girl in his boss's arms.
"Rejections are always cruel. And Little Miss is too young to face it."
"Life has never been kind to anyone."
"It hasn't," Ford said carefully, "but she is too small for the harsh lessons of life. Her heart is fragile. She might not —"
Dylan's gaze stopped Ford mid-sentence.
He immediately lowered his eyes from the mirror, guilt seeping in.
Dylan didn't say a word —not even after a long moment of silence.
And Ford didn't dare to look up again.
After a long moment, he finally mustered the courage. But still didn't dare lift his gaze.
"Since the past has long been forgotten," he ventured, "can it not start over again?"
Dylan didn't respond. The silence stretched —heavy, suffocating.
