Chapter 90

Lara hesitated, glancing nervously at Grandma. Xavier had been under her care since he was born. Sure, he was spoiled and reckless, but deep down, he was a sweet kid. She figured his behavior today was just a knee-jerk reaction to hearing I was planning to marry Lorraine. She said cautiously, "Mr. Joplin, that storage room hasn't been used in years. It's in pretty bad shape..." "What, has it collapsed?" I snapped, my patience razor-thin. "No, of course not!" Lara quickly shook her head. Everyone could tell I wasn't in the mood for excuses. "Then get it ready," I ordered sharply. Xavier didn't know exactly what the "dark room" was, but judging by the looks on everyone's faces, he could tell it wasn't anywhere he wanted to go. "Mommy! I don't want to go!" He cried, his small arms reaching out toward Yvonne, desperate for her to carry him. "Xavier..." Yvonne covered her mouth with one hand, tears brimming in her eyes as she watched her son struggle. "Cole, if you're mad, take it