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Sayer notices my expression.

"What?"

"Nothing."

He smiles.

"That's the same thing Carys says."

I huff a laugh despite myself.

"You're both terrible liars."

He kicks lightly at a pile of leaves.

"I've been thinking."

"About?"

"My parents."

There's a hesitation before he says the word. Not because he doubts they loved him. Because now there are two meanings.

"My adoptive parents," he corrects quietly.

I nod.

"They loved me."

"I know."

"They really did."

"I'm sure they did."

"They never lied about loving me."

"But they did lie about something."

His gaze drops.

"I think they were scared."

"So do I."

We stand together in silence. Finally, he asks the question I have been expecting.

"Can I ask you something?"

"You just did."

He rolls his eyes.

"I mean a real question."

"Go ahead."

He takes a deep breath.