Blake’s face went dark.

“She’s already starting,” he muttered.

“She knew I would kick her out, so she had this ready to go.”

“It’s a complete lie,” I said, my heart hammering against my ribs.

“It paints me as a grifter. It paints my boys as pawns.”

“I know,” Blake said, walking over and taking my hands in his.

His palms were warm, steadying my shaking fingers.

“We are not going to let her spin this.”

“How do we stop it?” I asked.

“If this gets out, the press will hound the boys at their school. Their lives will be ruined.”

“I’m going to call a press conference,” Blake said, his eyes reflecting a sudden, sharp resolve.

“A real one. Not a corporate statement.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I’m going to tell the truth,” he said.

“I’m going to tell them how I failed you, how I let my mother drive us apart, and how you protected our sons from our family’s toxicity.”

I looked at him, searching his face for any sign of hesitation.

“That will ruin your reputation, Blake,” I whispered.