Alec didn’t recognize the woman, but he recognized that tone of voice.He knew how it was to lay claim to what you loved, a§ the moreinsistently because people doubted the love that belonged to you. Alecwasn’t sure what to say, so he did one of his favorite things. He producedhis phone and found a rea§y good picture, walked up to the dais, andshowed it to them both.“›is is my son, Max.

Human,” he said. “We all find out the people who are supposed to take care of us are human eventually. That they make mistakes.

Our fathers were demons,' Catarina said. 'Our mothers were heroes.

I love you unconditionally, his mom had said, once or twice, when he was younger. That’s how parents love. I love you no matter what. People said things like that, without thinking of potential nightmare scenarios or horrific conditions, the whole world changing and love slipping away. None of them ever dreamed love would be tested, and fail.