Chapter 25

Xavier looked completely heartbroken as he faced Sebastian, as if every bit of the blame belonged to Julia. Julia, barely supported by Sebastian, felt like her head was splitting. Her vision went black at the edges, and a high-pitched ringing filled her ears—everything else became a distant blur. Xavier's sobs felt distorted, like overprocessed static in her ears, each cry slicing through her skull like a blade. Blood dripped from her forehead, sliding down her cheek and hitting the floor. It took a long moment before she could even begin to gather herself. She finally lifted her eyes in Xavier's direction, only to realize her vision had blurred so badly she could barely make out anything more than a few feet away. "Sebastian, just take him away." Julia's breathing was shaky. "He's right, I don't want him. I really can't handle being his mother anymore." Even though she couldn't see clearly, her eyes locked in the right direction, straight at Xavier. Blood was still trickling