“It’s not your fault, Chris. None of this is your fault.” Tears from her eyes wet the top of my head, and I cry harder. Long, gut wrenching sobs that wrack my body and make my chest ache with relief. “And ultimately, the blame for how everything turned out belongs to your father. It’s his shame. His burden to bear. His choice had nothing to do with you showing him those bags, no matter how much he might have suggested that it did. The truth is, monsters never need a reason to do horrific things, baby. It’s just their nature, and his nature is not yours.”
