Chapter 99

Lake POV

My throat felt tight. “He was having a panic attack yesterday. He couldn’t breathe. He was screaming that he didn’t want this family if he couldn’t have me back. That’s not thriving, Elena.”

“That’s trauma response,” she said firmly.

“That’s his brain protecting him from perceived abandonment based on past experiences. But Lake, this morning? The way he was able to self-soothe enough to let us help him? The way he sought comfort from other people instead of completely shutting down? The way he’s over there right now, playing and laughing and being a normal five-year-old? That’s because you’ve given him a foundation of love and security strong enough that he can start to branch out.”

“I don’t know if I believe that,” I whispered.

“Then believe me,” Elena said. “Lake, I’ve raised four boys. I’ve seen every kind of child, every kind of trauma response, every kind of parenting. And what you’re doing with Ollie—it’s remarkable. You’re letting