I had barely settled in at home when my phone started ringing nonstop.
It was William.
I ignored it. Again and again.
But he wouldn’t stop.
The moment I blocked one number, he switched to another.
Annoyed beyond reason, I finally pinched the bridge of my nose and picked up. “What?”
There was a pause—then a sharp exhale of relief. “Susie! Thank God. It’s Caleb—he’s sick. Please, you have to come see him!”
Once, that sentence would’ve made my heart stop.
Once, I would’ve dropped everything and run to his side.
But Caleb hadn’t inherited my nature—only the worst of William’s. And there wasn’t a trace of motherly instinct left in me.
My voice was steady. “He’s sick? Take him to a doctor. Why are you calling me?”
“It’s not that simple. The doctors can’t help.”
“Then find better doctors.”
Silence.
Then, in a hoarse whisper, William finally admitted, “Caleb has depression.”
I froze.
I hadn’t expected that.
Before I could fully process it, a m
