Chapter 170

Lake POV

I was sitting on Troy’s couch, wrapped in a blanket that smelled like lavender detergent and safety, when I heard the front door open.

My entire body tensed, ready to run again if I needed to. But it was just Rhodes, looking tired and concerned as he stepped inside. His eyes immediately found mine, and I saw guilt and sympathy warring in his expression.

“Lake,” he said gently, moving slowly like I was a spooked animal. “Can we talk?”

“I don’t want to hear excuses,” I said, my voice hoarse from crying. “Rhodes, you knew. You all knew, and nobody told me.”

“I know,” Rhodes said, settling into the chair across from me. Troy had disappeared into the playroom with the kids, giving us privacy. “Lake, you have every right to be angry. What happened—the way you found out—that was wrong. Ramon should have told you immediately.”

“But he didn’t,” I said bitterly. “He hid it for a week. And you let him.”

Rhodes sighed heavily. “We gave h