Page 608 of The Tempted

“Don’t you dare,” he hissed. “You are not crazy,” he ordered. “You hear me? You are not crazy and don’t ever…,” he paused, shook my shoulders to drive his point home. “Don’t you everlet anyone tell you otherwise!”

He released his grip on me and took a step backward, pacing the small area in front of Jack’s grave.

“It’s not your fault,” I called out to him. “You didn’t do this to me.”

He turned around, and I peered into the eyes of the mentally ill man who tried so hard to escape his maker. I saw determination and anger fight to break through the sorrow and grief reflected in his eyes.

“Sure I did,” he rasped.

Freedom has a price.

The price of my freedom became my father’s torment.

I’m sorry, daddy.

I’m so very sorry.

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