Leon didn’t flinch. He stood there, his hands in his pockets and watched her as she displayed. Tears spilled down her cheeks as she clasped her trembling hands together. “I am sorry,” she sobbed. “Please... please forgive me.” Leon stared at her in stunned silence. The woman who had cared for him more tenderly than his own mother now knelt before him, undone by the truth she could no longer deny. Watching her didn’t satisfy him nor made him feel comfortable. Instead, it made the hurt worse. He swallowed against the tightness in his throat. “Stand up, Alice.” She shook her head, crying harder. “I never meant for things to go this far. I swear to you, I never wanted anyone to get hurt. Believe me.” “Stand up,” he said again. His voice was not loud, but it carried a quiet authority that left no room for resistance. With visible effort, Alice rose to her feet, though she could not meet his eyes. Leon looked at her for a long moment, and when he finally spoke, his voice was thick
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