Chapter 100

Lake POV

“He’s a sweet boy,” Michelle said. “And he clearly adores you. The whole time we were in the bath, he kept telling me about things you do together, ways you take care of him. You’re his whole world, Lake.”

“That’s what scares me,” I admitted. “What happens if I’m not enough? What happens when he realizes there’s a whole world out there beyond just me?”

“Then he explores it,” Michelle said simply.

“With you as his safe base to return to. That’s how it’s supposed to work, Lake. Kids are supposed to venture out into the world, but they need to know they have a safe place to come back to. You’ve given him that safe place. Now you get to watch him discover everything else.”

I nodded, not trusting my voice. Everyone kept saying similar things—Elena, Ramon, Michelle—and maybe if enough people said it, I’d eventually start to believe it.

“Mama, are you okay?” Ollie was suddenly in front of me, looking up with concerned eyes. “You look sad.