Lois's eyes were rimmed with red. She'd clearly been crying for a long time.

"Logan, we were just waiting on you." She hurried toward me, reaching to help me out of my coat.

I stepped away from her with open distaste. So she'd been the one to call both sets of parents together.

I was curious about what came next. I wanted to see exactly what she planned to do with everyone gathered in one room.

I went over, greeted both sets of parents, and sat down.

Lois rushed to sit beside me. She picked up a piece of braised sausage with her chopsticks and placed it in my bowl. "Your favorite. Try it."

I shoved the entire bowl off the table. It hit the floor, and the atmosphere in the room turned to stone.

My father glared at me. "Are you done?"

Lois jumped in immediately. "Dad, it's my fault. Don't blame Logan. It's all my fault."

She wiped at her tears as she spoke, looking for all the world like she'd suffered some terrible injustice.

"Logan, Lois told us everything." My mother looked at me and continued, "This isn't her fault."

"Your father and I understand you're upset, but Lois is the victim here. You're her husband. You should be standing by her, not pushing her away."

"Victim?" I glanced at Lois in surprise. "I'm a little confused. Could someone tell me what exactly she said?"

My mother looked at Lois. "Lois, you haven't told Logan yet?"

"I... I..." Lois glanced at me, then dropped her gaze. "I didn't know how to tell him. I was afraid he wouldn't believe me."

"Don't worry. Your father and I know you're a good girl." My mother gave her a few reassuring words. "Since it's hard for you to say it, let me."

"Logan, the child really isn't yours, but it wasn't something Lois chose."

"The year you two got married, her classmates all came to the wedding. Afterward, she got together with some of them for a reunion."

"One of those animals got her drunk on purpose. Lois was assaulted while she was intoxicated."

"She'd just married you. She couldn't face what had happened, let alone tell you. No one imagined she'd end up pregnant with that man's child."

My mother's expression was grim as she spoke. She clearly didn't want to accept any of this either.

She went on, "Nobody wants something like this to happen. It's understandable that Lois was too scared to tell you at the time."

I stared at Lois, my face hard.

Her tears came faster. "Logan, I'm so sorry. I was just so terrified. I was afraid that if I told you, you'd want a divorce."

"Who was he?" I asked, my voice cold. "The animal who did it."

Both sets of parents turned to look at Lois.

I spoke again. "I have a right to know who hurt you. If you give me a name, I'd like to use every connection I have to make him pay."

My mother-in-law jumped in. "Lois, Logan has a wide network now. Tell him. Maybe he really can get justice for you."

"I... I..."

Lois stammered, her sobbing growing louder and louder.

"You won't say his name. Are you trying to protect him?"

"Logan, what kind of thing is that to say?" My father slammed his palm on the table.

"Lois doesn't want to relive that part of her past. That's understandable." My mother stepped in quickly to smooth things over. "Let's eat first. She can tell us when she's ready."

I said nothing. I quietly took out my phone and called Owen.

"Come to my place. I don't need to give you the address, do I?"