lia

rs, glowed on the screen like a beacon in the pre-dawn darkness. I took a deep br

idable patriarch of Sterling Holdings, sounded less like

d, my voice cracking with emotio

"Home? You mean... you' re coming home?" His voice was hoarse

was still asleep in his bed, his small body curled ar

e girl... my family. You' re coming home. Both of you." His voice was shaking. "Don' t you dare go anyw

There was no blame, no anger, only an overwhelming flood of love

I said, tears finally overfl

, a soft, innocent groan escaping his lips. "Daddy?" he mumbled, his small hand reach

s. Tears streamed down my face as I gently stroked Colt' s soft hair. He deserved a father who showed up, not one wh

ve," I whispered, kissing his forehead. "We' re going t

the discreet, professional knock I expected from Windmere' s security detail, but an aggressive,

ambitious son. She thought I was of low birth, a commoner, unfit to breathe the same air as her precious Harrison. And she loathed Colt, seeing him only as an inconvenient mis

sharp eyes swept over our modest living room, a sneer twisting her lips. Four burly guards, not from Windme

Karren sneered, her voice dripping with venom. "S

ed, a silent shield over my hear

gone. Now. Pack your things, pack the... boy' s things, and disappear. Harrison has a very

' s fifth birthday. And Harrison was ann

voice dangerously low. I felt a surge of protectiv

who can stand beside him, not a nameless... commodity who holds him back." Her gaze flicked dismissively towards Colt' s bedroom. "A woma

alms. The insult to me was a dull ache now, but the atta

n that way," I warned, my voice

at' s good for you, you' ll take him and vanish. If you don' t, we will consider you an intruder. And intruders, dear, are dealt with... severely. I wouldn'

the power she was provoking. No id

Karren," I said, my voice now steady, cold a

ontempt, and turned to leave. "Just be gone

choed through the small apartment. I stood t

small, c

ama

everything. Every cruel word, every hateful insult. He was just five, a sensitive, innocent child. He didn

rms, burying my face in his soft hair. He so

I... am I really a mistake?" He pulled back, looking at me with swollen,