"Do you think I'm a bad mother?" she whispered.
Kade's expression tightened.
"No."
Dakota shook her head, tears still slipping down her cheeks. "I wasn't there for him, Kade. I wasn't there for three years. He grew up without me, and now look at him. He's so sick. What if this is my fault?"
"It isn't," Kade said firmly. "You don't need to feel guilty for what was done to you or for what you didn't know."
"But—"
"No." He gently interrupted her, his voice softer this time. "You are not a bad mother, Dakota. You were kept away from your son. There is a difference."
Dakota looked at him, struggling to believe it.
Kade carefully wiped a tear from her cheek before continuing, "Cooper is awake, and he's being cared for. Elias is with him, and Takoda is there too. Let's go and see our son."
Dakota hesitated, her eyes filled with uncertainty.
"Can I?"
The question was so low that Kade's chest tightened.
