Mark’s brothers were staring at their plates. The wives were staring at Brenda. Everyone looked uncomfortable.
“Here’s what’s going to happen,” Mark said. “You’re going to apologize to Leo. A real apology. You’re going to tell him you were wrong and that you’re sorry. And then you’re going to respect our boundaries. If you can’t do that, you won’t see my children at all.”
“You can’t keep my grandchildren from me!”
“Yes, I can. It’s called protecting my kids from someone who hurt them.”
Brenda looked around the table, desperate for support.
No one spoke.
Finally, Mark’s father sighed. “Brenda, apologize to the boy.”
“Robert—”
“Now.”
Brenda looked at Leo, who was sitting next to me, eyes wide and scared.
She opened her mouth. Closed it. Started crying harder.
“I’m sorry,” she finally whispered. “I’m sorry,
