“Mmhmm,” Nora mumbled. The sting was much worse now than when she’d first scraped it.

Meredith paused mid-motion. “I’ll be gentler,” he said softly.

“It’s not the pressure,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

He understood what she meant. “Nora, I’m sorry. I couldn’t protect you or find you sooner.”

He didn’t need anyone else to remind him of his failure—he was already doing it to himself. What ...