When Esther finished wiping her tears, Vinson finally spoke. “Thing is… I don’t actually remember much.” His voice made Esther turn to him.

“The clearest memory I have from back then is you being hurt, almost dying,” he continued. “And Elson telling me that you… hated me. Really hated me.”

Esther stared at him, and it made Vinson shift uncomfortably. “Can you not look at me like that?”

Esther nodded and tried to keep her face neutral.

Vinson let out a long breath. “I ...