Thaddeus reached out to Rassel first, asking about Kayden. She told him he was fine, probably fast asleep in his room by now. When Thaddeus asked if Kayden had eaten, Rassel explained that dinner had been brought to his room earlier. She'd checked on him and saw that he'd eaten a little, spent some time on the phone, and then gone to sleep.
Then he gently let her know, "I won't be able to make it back home tonight, but I'll be there early in the morning."
Rassel didn't let him finish. Her voice cut in, sharp and direct. "Why?"
Thaddeus hesitated for a second before answering, "Lena's not feeling well… and she doesn't have anyone else to stay with her."
There was a pause. A heavy one.
Then Rassel said, "We'll talk when you get back in the morning. But just remember, Kayden isn't someone you get to mess around with."
Her words hung in the air like a warning wrapped in quiet pain.
Thaddeus sighed softly. "Trust me," he said, his voice low but steady.
