Chapter 176

Lake POV

Ollie’s attention was momentarily diverted. “With extra chocolate chips?”

“Of course,” Troy said, winking. “I know how you like them.”

Ollie climbed into a chair beside Sophia and Julian, and soon all three kids were chattering about pancakes and coloring and what games they wanted to play after breakfast. Normal kid things that felt surreal against the backdrop of my emotional crisis.

I forced myself to eat, knowing I needed to keep my strength up even though the food tasted like ash in my mouth. Rhodes and Troy kept the conversation light, talking about their plans for the day, asking the kids about their favorite activities. Pretending everything was normal even though we all knew it wasn’t.

After breakfast, the kids ran off to the playroom, leaving the three of us adults at the table.

“Lake,” Rhodes said carefully. “I spoke to Ramon last night. He’s—he’s not doing well. He’s agreed to see a therapist, to get professional help p