I turned toward Lewis without thinking, my heart skipping as a single thought crossed my mind.
Was he talking about… me?
Jeffrey let out a long breath, the sharp edge in his expression dulling into something tired. Worn. "I know you've kept your head down all these years," he said slowly. "You endured more than most would. And yes, this time, they crossed a line."
He paused, fingers pressing into the arm of his chair.
"But for the sake of the family," he continued, "for everything we've built, can't you step back? There's a child involved now. Like it or not, that baby may carry the Hale blood. If anything happens especially with Julian's current condition things could spiral out of control."
Lewis didn't react.
He stood there, calm and grounded, like nothing Jeffrey said could shake him.
