“Lily is a girl, Cole,” I said softly.

He stopped polishing his cuff link for a split second, his eyes locking on mine.

“Don’t play word games with me, Lauren.

I’m offering you an immediate solution that keeps this family together.”

I reached for my leather handbag on the seat beside me.

“I’m not bringing the children back to the penthouse today.”

The cold winter wind hit us the moment we stepped through the bistro’s heavy glass door into the parking lot.

Cole stayed two steps behind me, his leather soles crunching on the gray salt scattered across the pavement.