“I’m sorry,” David said. “If Jake doesn’t want me you’ll be stuck with me forever, and then Roxanne or Lori eventually…” He couldn’t speak anymore when he realized he could even end up in an omega home, entirely alone and unloved.
“No, David.” Aunt Julie put her hand under his chin so he had no choice but to look at her. “You have nothing to apologize for. This is not your fault and you did nothing wrong.”
“If anything we failed you,” said Uncle Ed. “We didn’t protect you well enough.”
“You couldn’t have known.” Roger McLaughlin’s muscle men broke a window at night and threw smoke bombs into the house, prompting the entire family to go outside. The crew then subdued Uncle Ed, Aunt Julie, and Roxanne with tasers before grabbing David. What did Uncle Ed feel he should have done differently, stay in a house he thought was on fire?
Nevertheless, Uncle Ed remained unconvinced. “Maybe not. Doesn’t mean I haven’t spent hours wondering what I could’ve done differently to keep you safe.”