Page 88 of Shattering

The easy warmth of the room dimmed.

Cadi's shoulders stiffened. "No."

Derrik nodded slowly, as if he'd expected that. He let out a heavy breath. "I keep askin' meself where we went wrong."

Eila reached over, covering his hand with hers. "We didn't."

Derrik shook his head, his fork rested untouched on his plate. "Didn't we?" His voice was rough, heavy with something Cadi wasn't used to hearing from him-uncertainty.

"Raised that girl since she was barely outta the hospital." He exhaled, shaking his head. "Her mam legged it soon as she could. Just... up an' gone, left me with a newborn an' didn't look back."

Cadi felt a pang of sorrow deep in her chest. She'd always known that, but Derrik never really talked about it. Not like this.

He sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. "Did me best, y'know? Had no clue what I were doin'. Just tried t'keep her fed, tried t'do right by her. An' then..." He looked at Eila, his lips pressing together. "Then I met yer mam."

Eila placed a gentle hand on his arm, her expression warm. "An' I loved her, Derrik."

Cadi swallowed. She knew that.

Eila had never treated Regan like she wasn't hers. Not once.

Derrik nodded slowly. "Aye. You did." His throat worked. "An' Cadi-you were always stickin' up for her."

Cadi shifted uncomfortably. She hadn't thought about it in years, but it was true. Regan had always been different. Quieter, softer, more sensitive. And whenever someone picked on her-at school, at family events, even in their own house-Cadi was the first one in front of her.

She'd always thought that meant something.

But now, she didn't know.

Derrik let out a slow breath, shakin' his head again. "Thought her an' Cadi-" He broke off, rubbin' his hand down his face. "I dunno."

Eila squeezed his hand. "She's ashamed, Derrik."

He let out a bitter laugh. "Aye. She should be."

Cadi said nothing.

What could she say without hurting Derrik?

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Tomos, who had been sliding down the banister in spite of Cadi's many threats, landed with a thump at the bottom of the stairs, his face lit up with mischief.

Before Cadi could turn her glare into a proper scolding, he bounded over, blissfully unaware of the tension simmering between the adults.

"Grandaaaaaaa!" he announced loudly, grinning ear to ear, as if he hadn't just risked breaking his neck. "Guess what?"

Derrik snorted, grateful for the interruption. "Go on, then. What?"

"I played rugby today," he announced proudly, sitting up straighter in his chair.

Derrik perked up immediately. "Oh aye? How'd ya do?"

Tomos beamed. "James an' me are gonna be the best. He says we'll play for Wales, but I told 'im maybe England instead, since Da likes them best."

Derrik made a face. "England? Ah, lad, don't let yer da corrupt ya."

Cadi snorted, and Tomos looked delighted. "James's da says I'm fast. And-" His face turned just a little pink, ears going bright red. "There's this new girl in class. Sarah."

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