Sylvie hadn’t even thought about the fact that it had been Hallie’s mom who’d caused Rene the most pain he’d had in his life. She’d worried about this. Rene shoved his anger down. Always. She’d never seen him once lose his temper. Not even when he was a child. Most people mistook that as Rene not having feelings, but Sylvie knew the truth. He was a volcano of emotion and he was ready to explode.

“Rene, it wasn’t Hallie’s fault,” Sylvie said quietly, moving toward him. It was obvious Rene had gotten here in a hurry since he wasn’t wearing the suit coat he’d donned this morning and his hair wasn’t its perfect self.

“What are you doing here?” Rene’s question wasn’t directed at Sylvie. He hadn’t even looked at her. His eyes were on Louis. “Don’t you have a meeting you’re supposed to lead?”

“I called in and had it postponed.” Louis moved away from Cricket, his hands going into his pockets as though he didn’t trust himself not to reach out for her. “I wanted to make sure Cricket was all right. And it was not Hallie’s fault, so I suggest you get that look off your face, son, because you’re scaring a young woman with a baby.”

“I am not your son,” Rene said between clenched teeth. “And I would like to know what’s going on and why my wife seems to think I don’t need to know.”

Sylvie’s gut knotted because she knew that volcano was about to explode, but there was one thing she wouldn’t allow him to do. “You need to apologize to my friend.”

Hallie had tears running down her face, her baby’s arms around her neck comforting her. “He said he would sue me if I tried anything. My mom didn’t mean to hurt you. She had a heart attack.”

“Hallie, I’m sorry. I’m obviously not over the accident and not over nearly losing my mother—something I know you understand. Please accept my apologies and know that I will apologize again later and far more sincerely when I’m not worried that my wife has betrayed me,” Rene said.

Hallie’s eyes widened. “She wouldn’t do that. Never.” She looked over to Sylvie. “Maybe you should come home with me. He’s scaring me. I’m worried about you.”

Rene’s dragon was on full display, but Sylvie wasn’t afraid of him. Not one bit. She faced her husband even as she spoke to her friend. “I’ll be fine. You go on and get home. I’ll call you later. We’ll handle any damages to your car.”

“Are you sure?” Hallie would stand with her. She would take on the richest man in town the same way she’d faced down the mean girls in high school.