The brittle shell of anger cracked further, and Thalia felt her own heart break in kind. Clio had said something about a breakup – that it was one of the reasons Mel was lashing out – but seeing her now, tear-choked and hunched over her pregnant belly, Thalia realised just how raw the hurt still was.
She reached out for Melpomene's free hand and gave it a squeeze. "We'll be there," she promised. "For whatever you want. You won't be alone."