Chapter 91

"He's just a kid. Making mistakes at his age is… understandable." Yvonne's voice trailed off, her guilt evident. She had seen the injury on Lorraine's leg—it wasn't minor. The doctor had said she was running a fever too, which only made things worse. Even Yvonne couldn't deny Xavier had gone too far. "But he's our child, Cole. You've made your point. Maybe you should let him go now?" "You'll shield him now, and then what? Keep doing it when he's older?" I shrugged off her hand as it reached for my arm. The thought of her touch repulsed me. A mother like her, feeding her child bitterness and resentment, had no business raising Xavier. "Xavier owes Lorraine an apology," I said sharply. "And so do you." "Me?" Yvonne laughed bitterly, rolling her eyes. "Oh, come on, Cole. You're not even married yet, and you're already treating her like family?" From the sidelines, Jared chimed in, clearly trying to take Yvonne's side, "Cole, I'm just an outsider here, but Xavier is your son. Blood