Chapter 6
“What…? Are you sure?” Gralin’s face drained of color. He nearly dropped the phone.
“Yes, sir. I collected DNA samples from the site. It’s a match.”
The phone slipped from his grasp, shattering on the floor.
“Get out!” he roared, shoving the man away. “Get the hell out of here!”
The man, confused, mumbled a curse and left.
“Isata… I’m so sorry… I didn’t… I never meant…” He scrambled to help me get dressed, his eyes red, his voice thick with regret.
I felt numb, my soul detached from my body.
“I’m so sorry… I’m so sorry, Isata…” he repeated, his voice breaking. “I was an idiot. I
shouldn’t have believed them…”
I pushed him away, clutching the broken watch.
“Is that your father’s?” he asked gently. “Let me fix it for you.”
I slapped him, my anger erupting. “Get away from me! You’re a monster! My father
shouldn’t have saved your worthless life!”
He sank to his knees, his face contorted with agony. “I’m sorry, Isata. I didn’t know… I was deceived… that’s why… I… I’m so sorry, Dad… I’m a goddamn monster…”
I stared at him, my voice laced with contempt. “Do you even understand how insane your actions were? My father had the mind of a child! We’ve spent five years with him! We know what he’s like! How could you doubt him? How could you abandon him in the wilderness? Do you know how terrified he must have been? How much pain he felt when those wolves tore him apart?”
“He probably never even understood why…”
14:26
