s bleeding hand, dimmed the harsh overhead

d her eyes, her chest rising and falling heavily as s

ly colored toy car rolled into the room, bumping against the leg of the visitor's chair. A tiny force pushed the door open wide

inking her father had returned. Her fingers i

d into the room. He was dressed in a miniature

an-blue eyes. He blinked, staring curio

y in her stomach instantly unraveled

at Avah's face, a massive spark of

ht past the chairs, entirely unafraid, an

soft, sweet, and laced with a

Mommy" acted like a live wire, sending a

Her first instinct was to gent

he faint, sweet scent of baby powder and milk drifted to her n

hit her hard. Her breathing turned ragged. Her ey

ly rubbing the boy's small back. She tried to steady

hmic sound of expensive leather shoes h

oice called out. The footsteps

A tall, broad-shouldered man stood in th

t. A suffocating aura of absolute dominan

th a pair of deep, icy blue eyes-the

n a slight frown when he saw his son clin

clicked against the floor, tapping out a da

m the bed. He looked down at Avah

ned Avah's pale face, dropping

wering man. "Daddy! I found Mommy!" he

gh Atticus's blue eyes, but it vanished

ominent knuckles. His tone left no

his face in Avah's neck, hugging her even

tween the father and son. She gently t

sp, clean scent of cedarwood and expensive cologne