create a plausible reason for you to vanish. Something that can't be ea

a cold knot in my stomach, but the resolve for my son was a burning

y apartment door. My heart leaped into my throat. W

ision in a pastel designer dress, clutching a large, ornate gift basket overflowing

t open

olden told me you'd moved. He's so worried about you, darling. He sent m

hite. The audacity. Holden sent her?

ce rising slightly. "I just want to talk. About

my voice muffled but fir

eetness. "Don't be childish, Elinor. You can't hide from us forever.

," I shot back, a wave of nausea washing o

dramatic. Don't you understand? Holden and I... we're meant

ven years?" I scoffed. "You

h venom. "He loved the idea of you, the one who saved his life. He felt ob

uelty of her words, the way she r

ing into her voice. "Good. That makes things so much easier. You'll si

our child?" The words

aused, letting the pity-play sink in. "But Holden wants an heir. And he chose you

he saw me as nothing more than a breeding animal, and my son as her rightful prize.

guttural sound. "You sick, twisted witch.

replaced by a momentary flash of fe

heavier than I expected. My mind was a blur of white-hot rage. I w

reamed, my voice raw with fury.

tfits flying across the hallway. Then, with a primal roar, I grabbed the large, cream-colored cake

rfect skin, ruining her pristine dress. "There!" I shrieked. "Have

frosting from her eyes, her face contorted with pure hatred. "You crazy lun

chest heaving. "Try to take

escape Holden? He's everywhere! He'll find you! And when he does, he'll make you pay!" She turned, her delicate frame surpr

leaving me weak and shaking. I slid down the door, collapsing onto the floor, pulling my knee

rywhere. He had limitless power, limitless resources. And now, I had truly pu

My innocent, defenseless baby. How could I protect him from suc

ered, pressing my forehead aga

one way. One final, irreversible act that would sever all ties, that would ensure my son's saf

ing on the floor. Anika's hateful face flashed in my mind

death. And I had