ie

ror that clawed at my soul. Julian's handprint, red and angry, m

ed, his face a mask of pure fu

Dr. Adams' s revelation. The media storm had been brutal. His sponsors were pulling out, hi

die sobbed, burying h

and unblinking, locked onto Julian. He was panting, his chest heaving, a flicker

per, yet it cut through the shocked silence of t

lips. My eyes, I knew, held the weight of a p

, she's just trying to manipulate you. Don't let her poison your mind." Darryl, sensing an advan

the familiar mask of anger. "See, Kylie? This is your

your violence." I remembered the prophecy, the chilling echo of what he had allowed to happen in the first timeline.

t look back at him. I couldn't. I had alrea

led out, a desperat

oo late. For

ou. She's just jealous. We're your real family now." Darryl, still sniffling dramatica

eating figure. "She thinks she can just take your da

anny's manipulative comfort, hesitated. His gaze flicke

. Your brand. Don't let a crazy ex-wife and a difficult child destroy everything you've built." He

ny knew about Julian' s past, about his first wife, the "angel" h

ating malice, met mine. You think you ca

manipulative trick in her arsenal. She would seek to destroy

s, Kylie Gutierrez, her si

rembling. We were safe, for now, in Dr. Adams' s small, home

nor swelling behind her ear," Dr. Adams said, her voice gentle as

r movements slow and hesitant. The vibr

, can we?" I whispe

odie is stronger. And not until we ens

nd falling rhythmically. She would wake with nightmares, thrashing and crying out for

s, a teddy bear, and a somber expression for the cameras. He would try to talk to Jodie, to coax

rn. "She's traumatized. She needs professional help. I've found

em children" were hidden away, forgotten. A

say, my voice firm. "S

mances. She saw his attention, however feigned, as a threat to her own p

know you're struggling. Perhaps you'd like a little break? Darryl and I are going to th

y. Jodie is still recovering. And sh

yes narrowed. "Suit yourself.

ok her first tentative steps out of the room. She wa

ild look in his eyes. He charged at Jodie,

umbled backward. Her small hand, in a desperate

ing shriek. He twisted his body, and then, in slow motion,

airs, spun around. His eyes widened in horror. Fanny,

filled with feigned terror. "Jodie

revealing a perfectly healthy, unblemished forearm. Fanny quickly pinched him, leaving a

!," I yelled, my voice

ed towards me. "You little demon!" he roared,

he's your daughter!" I screame

ng into my flesh. "You are a danger

and this time, he struck me. Hard. A

terrified scream. Her eyes rolled back i

vision blurred, tears mixing with th

scious, faltered. A flicke

t, my voice trembling.

Kylie! You'll never see her again!" He pulled out his phone, already dia

e narrative, painting me as the unst

in my cheek. "We're leaving, baby," I whispered, pressin

t pounding like a drum. I haile

late. He had

the taxi, blocking our path. Two burly men,

ce flat. "We have orders to bring you and the

ighter. "No! You c

mposed for the public eye. A small crow

e, she's had a complete breakdown. She believes I'm abusing Jodie. She's delusio

ure of pity and judgment. Julian, the compassiona

raw with desperation. "He hit me!

voice, his practiced concern. "It's okay, darling.

odie from my arms. I fought, I screamed,

er small voice fading a

eked, my heart

hat sent shivers down my spine. "It's for

The last thing I saw was Julian, standing tall and victorio