Sebastian was Robbie''s dad, and Robbie was her own son. No matter what


    happened between her and Sebastian, Reese had always thought she should leave some room for kindness, especially since Sebastian still had to take care of Robbie.


    She''d nned to take her share, split things peacefully, and go their separate ways. Clean break. No drama.


    However, after what happened today, was there really any reason to care about Sebastian or Robbie''s feelings anymore? Did she still owe them anything?


    Robbie''s heart raced when he saw his parents fighting right in front of him. He rushed forward, grabbing onto Reese''s sleeve, his voice full of panic and hope.


    "Mom, you hurt Great-Grandpa, and you pushed Grandma. You made Dad mad. Please, just say sorry to him. Please."


    Reese yanked her arm free, cold and distant, not even sparing him a nce. After she''d heard Robbie using her and spouting those lies, she''d beenpletely let down by her own son.


    Sebastian justughed at how determined Reese was about the divorce. He stared at her, confident and almost arrogant, raising an eyebrow.


    "Go ahead, Reese. Try if you want."


    In Bridger Lake, nobody messed with the Ratcliff family. Leaving him? Reese could dream all she wanted, but it would never happen.


    Maybe this was just how things were. They''d fight, hurt each other, and grow old together. Wasn''t every marriage a little bit like this?


    Reese didn''t bother arguing anymore. She gave Sebastian onest look, gathered up her bag, and left. Her ankle throbbed. She must have twisted it when she pushed Jane. But she didn''t stop. Limping, she just wanted to get out of the hospital and away from all the chaos.


    Sebastian watched her go, noticing how uneven her steps were, how fragile her figure looked as she disappeared down the hallway. He forced himself to look away, but deep down, he couldn''t shake the guilt that crept in.


    Reese was so sure she''d get this divorce. So sure she''d walk away with part of his fortune.


    Did she know? Did she somehow find out about the surrogate the secret he''d tried so hard to keep hidden?


    He couldn''t think of any other reason for her confidence.


    Meanwhile, after leaving the hospital, Reese headed back to ck Oak She called George and pushed him to get a court date as soon as possible, then threw herself into work. She didn''t spare another thought for the hospital or any so-called miracle drugs.


    name.


    Back at the hospital, she''d been desperate, so desperate she almost called Matthew, hoping for some special medicine to wake Grandpa up and clear her


    Now, thinking it over, she realized it was pointless. If the Ratcliff family really believed she was a murderer, they could call the cops. She didn''t


    believe a second that thew


    wouldn''t clear her.


    She wasn''t going to jump through hoops to prove herself. Why should he force the old man to wake up just to defend her? He''d already suffered enough in that hospital.


    While Reese was tryingto let it all go, n stood quietly outside her door, watching. After a moment, he slipped away, head down.


    The Ratcliff family mess was all anyone could talk about. News traveled fast in their world.


    n had asked around. He knew the only real way to clear Reese''s name was if Mr. Ratcliff woke up and said who really did it. And the only way to wake him was some army grade medication.


    But getting something like that? Nearly impossible.


    He remembered what Matthew had told him before leaving: take care of Reese,


    no matter what. After hesitating, n finally pulled out his phone and sent a message to Matthew.


    [Reese is in trouble. It''s your turn to step in.]