Gabriel Nelson saw the resolve and indifference in her eyes and couldn't identify the odd feeling in his heart. The little girl who used to discuss everything with him, who would follow behind calling him "Brother Gabriel," who would walk under the plane trees holding his hand, was just like that—lost by him.
He repressed the surging emotions in his chest and asked her in a deep voice, "Why didn't you tell me about such a big matter earlier?"
Yesterday, he heard that the city and county leaders had all gone out to offer their condolences to a civilian. He just listened and didn't take it to heart. It was only at noon today when he heard Edward Clark mention that the person being mourned was Olivia Wilson; he asked for the specific address and realized that it was Amelia Clarke's mother who had passed away.
Amelia Clarke replied in a calm voice, "It's not too late for you to know now."
