Chapter 253: Ollie's Innocence

LUMINA Riley turned to look at me, and for a moment I saw something defensive flash across his face before the medication smoothed it away. He shifted slightly, positioning himself between me and Lake in a subtle but unmistakable protective gesture.   That hurt more than I wanted to admit. My son saw me as a potential threat to the person he cared about, rather than as someone who wanted what was best for him. The distance between us felt insurmountable in moments like this.     Ollie, who'd been hovering near the doorway trying to find an opening to approach, seized the opportunity created by my intervention. He edged closer to the bed, his expression eager and curious as he studied Lake with obvious fascination.     "Hi," Ollie said brightly, coming to stand on the opposite side of the bed from Riley. "I'm Ollie. Riley's younger brother."     Lake's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked between Ollie and Riley, clearly trying to figure out where this new person fit in the complicated h