‘ newsflash, baby boy. your mother didn’t ask to be a pawn in your grandfather’s scheme either. she didn’t ask to be knocked up and abandoned to raise a son who, as it turns out, doesn’t fucking love her either. ‘ fingers had turned to claws, but she didn’t use them, only let the anger bleed out. ‘ i don’t want you to do shit. i wouldn’t ask that of you because you’re fucking incapable of thinking of anyone but yourself. like dear ol’ dad. what i am asking you not to do is to shit talk her. to, at the very fucking least, respect her. even if that means doing a disappearing act like your father, so she isn’t reminded of how shitty her life turned out. ‘ inhale, exhale. ‘ your poor fucking mother. ‘

_{‘respect is earned; not given out freely,’ he glanced to his gloved hands as if there was something on them. ‘no one asked to be a pawn or even exist, but here we are.’ what ky needed was a lesson on respect, but there was doubt that he’d even learn anything from it. ‘you ask almost too much of me,’ his lips pursed  into a thin-line for several moments. ‘—-i’ll leave her alone.’ it wasn’t what he wanted, but if it got lilith off his back? he’d do it. ‘no contact of any sort; i’m sure you’ll agree that’s best.’ even if it was clear in his tone of voice that wasn’t what he wanted. ‘for everyone.’}