Adrian covered his face with both hands as his crying grew heavier. "But she left us."
"She did," Luciano admitted quietly. "And that was her choice." He paused for a moment before continuing, his voice becoming softer. "The truth is that your mother has never been able to give you the kind of love and protection a mother should give her children. A mother is supposed to protect her children, stand beside them, and make sure they know they are loved. She didn't do that, and none of that was because of you."
Adrian could no longer hold himself together. He leaned toward Matias and buried his face against his cousin's shoulder, his small body shaking as the sobs finally overwhelmed him.
Matias tightened his arms around him immediately, even though tears had begun gathering in his own eyes. "Don't cry," he whispered. "I'm right here."
Adrian clung tightly to him. "She doesn't want me."
