The floodgates opened, and tears streamed down Avery's face as she looked at her son's stern and serious face.

Wesley immediately pulled Hayden aside.

"That's no way to be speaking to your mother, Hayden," Wesley whispered, "Don't you want Shea to survive?"

"Of course I do, but that has nothing to do with Elliot! I hate him, but I don't want to see him reduced to this!" Hayden's eyes were slightly red. "My goal is to defeat him. How am I supposed to achieve that now that he's lost everything!"

Wesley hugged Hayden after understanding what the boy's thoughts were.

"I understand how you feel, but don't blame your mother for this. She's been feeling sadder than anyone else these past couple of days," Wesley said hoarsely. "She never forced your father into giving up everything. She'll never do something like that. Your dad made this decision because he felt provoked. There's a whole lot of stuff that is beyond our control. You're still young, so you may not understand that."

Avery