Back at the Rathbourne residence, William watched as Timothy hugged Fitzgerald so tightly that he seemed determined never to let him go. Tears streamed down his cheeks, and there was even a little snot beneath his nose.
The sight was almost painful to witness.
And the most surprising part was that Fitzgerald actually let him.
He stood there patiently while Timothy clung to him, completely unconcerned about the tears, the mess, or the way his clothes were being ruined.
William had never seen his sons this close. Not once.
Something shifted inside him. His eyes began to sting, and for a moment, he simply stood there, watching them.
Then William cleared his throat and decided that retreating to his study was the safest course of action. He had no idea what to do with this sort of emotion, and he certainly wasn't prepared to start crying in front of his sons.
But before he could turn away, someone else entered the living room.
