Noble was grateful, with a sudden fervent feeling that surprised him in how genuine it was, that his mother was still alive. He was grateful for Ford. Their father was dead, their father had sent them on a path that was likely to ruin them, but he wasn't alone in it. Holden was alone — and it was, at least partially, Noble's fault.

But despite that — he got it. Maybe not in full, but at least a little, Noble understood, because the responsibility felt like it could drown someone if they let it.

He sat down on the edge of the desk. "You get through it," he said.

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