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Hell, I would have been too.

As she ate, I did feel bad for her, but I tried not to let it show.

I never wanted someone else to feel like I did. Even though I’d moved on, there was something in me that would always be angry with Dad. The lonely nights and silent dinners added up. Eventually, I went for the people in town that cared. They smiled when they saw me. Dad didn’t.

Gabriel had seen how it had hurt me. He’d watched as I begged for Dad’s attention, only to realize I would never get it.

And he was doing the same thing to his daughters.

That hurt turned into something ugly.

There was another knock on the door, and I tried to keep myself calm.

When I saw Gabriel, I nearly lost it.

“Can I have Agnes back?”

“We need to talk,” I hissed, and shoved him out into the hallway.

“You really don’t wanna leave her in your apartment⁠—”

“Stop,” I snapped. “Just stop.”

Gabriel blinked, finally recognizing that I was pissed off. He stared, his breath hitching.

“I’m sorry she bothered you. I’ll keep a better eye on her.”

“You think that’s what I’m mad at?”

“I’ll take her now, so you can⁠—”

“Do you deserve to have her back?”

He blinked. “What?”

“She doesn’t trust you.”

“You think I don’t know that?” His voice was flat. “Trust me, I do. And she doesn’t ever let me forget it.”

“What are you even doing with her?”

“The best I can.”

“Well, your best sucks.”

My words landed and Gabriel finally scowled at me.

Good. I was tired of him sulking.

“Thanks. That’ll fix all of my problems.”

“You’re just accepting it?” I laughed humorlessly. “You’re not even trying to do better. Do you know what Agnes just told me?”

“What? That I’m terrible?”

“That you don’t want them.”

Gabriel pinched his nose. “Goddammit.”