Chapter 235: Breaking Point

XENOIS The sound of medical equipment crashing to the floor echoed through Lake's hospital room as I ducked another projectile -- this time a plastic water pitcher that Riley had hurled with surprising accuracy given his deteriorated state. Behind me, Lumina pressed herself against the wall, her face a mask of determination despite the obvious pain Riley's rejection was causing her.   "Riley, please," she said, her voice steady despite the chaos. "We just want to talk to you. We want to help."   "Get out!" Riley's voice was raw from days of minimal use, cracking on the words as he reached for another item to throw. His movements were sluggish, uncoordinated in a way that spoke to serious physical deterioration. "I don't want your help! I don't want anything from you!"   The three days since Andy's revelations had taken a visible toll on our son. His clothes hung loose on his increasingly gaunt frame, dark circles shadowed his eyes, and his skin had taken on an unhealthy pallor that mad