Patrick’s jaw works. “So, what do you want?”
I swallow, steadying myself. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but what we’re doing now seems to be working. The logistical stuff.”
His brow shoots up. “I’m living in an apartment, seeing my kids every other week or every other day. Lore, you barely allowed me in the delivery room when Agnes was born.”
My eyes narrow so fast I surprise myself. “What’d you expect me to do? You showed up the previous night drunk and incoherent.You were lucky I even let you in at all.”
He looks away sharply. “Why are you always bringing up the past?”
“It’s not just the past,” I say quietly. “It’s a pattern. You made promises and broke them. Over and over.”
My throat tightens, but I keep my eyes on his. “You’re sober now. I’m glad. Honestly, I am. But… you still don’t seem to understand how much you hurt me.”
I tuck my hair behind my ear, my voice barely above a breath. “How much you’re still hurting me.”
Then I step back, forcing a smile onto my face as I lift my hand and wave at Milo through the window, bright and cheerful, the way a mom is supposed to look when she says goodbye.
Patrick stands there frozen.
“Your mom’s been texting me about Christmas,” I say quietly, still keeping the fake smile plastered on for Milo’s sake. “Talk to her. I don’t care what you say. Just tell her to butt out.”
His mouth parts like he wants to argue, but I don’t give him the chance. I turn away, walking back toward my car, smiling for my son until the very last second.
Patrick
I watch Lore walk away with a pit settling deep in my stomach.
I didn’t expect her to compromise all the time. It’s just… she’s always been the more understanding one. My mom, on the other hand, is, wellmom.She still treats me like I’m ten, and anything I say becomes something childish or dramatic. It’s always been easier to let her have her way.
But Lore’s right. I pushed her. A lot. And now, with my mom acting the way she is, of course Lore isn’t going to spend Christmas with her and Chloe. My little sister has always been Mom’s shadow, but this time she’s taken it too far.
After I drop Milo off at home, I decide to stop by the DA’s office on my way back. Since stepping down as sergeant, I’ve enjoyed the freedom of a longer lunch. I’m not slacking, there’s just not much I can do until DNA comes back on my current case or a judge signs off on an older one. I’ll check on that while I’m here.
But that’s not why I came.
I stop outside my mom’s office, the door half open, and knock gently on the frame.
“Hey.”
“Oh, honey.” Mom looks up from her chair, eyebrows lifting in surprise. I don’t really drop in like this. Not even when I have official business here.
“Mom, you got a minute?” I step inside and close the door behind me.
She nods and gives me her full attention. “What’s wrong?”
I sit down in the chair across from her desk, suddenly unsure of how the hell to start.
I rub my palms against my thighs, stare at a stack of folders, and finally say, “We need to talk about Lore.”
Mom’s whole tone shifts instantly. “What about her?”
I take a breath. “She’s the mother of your grandkids. You can’t keep treating her the way you have been.”
She opens her mouth to argue, but I don’t let her.
“What happened in our marriage is between me and her,” I say firmly. “And honestly? With the way I acted, I expected you and Chloe to takeherside.”
Mom blinks. “What?”
