The older woman’s composure collapsed. She backed up and sank into an armchair, trembling. “They said he would not survive. He was not breathing. The doctor said they did not have the equipment here to help him. A nurse I knew had a sister who volunteered with families in need. She took him. I thought he was gone. I thought I was saving you from grief.”
“You stole him,” Breanna whispered.
Trevor’s mother sobbed. “I believed it was merciful. I believed I was protecting you. I was wrong. I was so wrong.”
Milo hid behind Mason, watching the adults with wide frightened eyes.
Breanna knelt in front of him. “Milo, I am so sorry. For everything that was taken from you. If you want to come with us, we will make you part of our family.”
Milo’s lip trembled. “Do families stay. Or do they leave when things get messy.”
Breanna gathered him into her arms. “We stay. Even when it is messy. Especially then.”
They found Aunt Delores two days later in a clinic receiving treatment for pneumonia. When Milo saw her, he leaped into her arms and spoke so fast the words became jumbled. Delores listened to the story with eyes full of grief.