e gently stroked her hair, his voice a low, soothi

ur daughter is fighting for her life in an incubator, and you're here, attackin

s lips. "You want to talk about being a parent, Liam? You, who drugged me and forced

ion. Dr. Carter saved your life, and our daughter's. You should be grateful.

, her voice shaking with rage. "G

e our daughter, you will be civil. You will accept her help.

y. Her tiny, fragile daughter was alive. A flicker of desperate hope ignite

as he turned back to Chloe, "let her

ence. She picked up a syringe from a sterile packet on the tray. "Thi

ing jab, and the medicine burned as it spread. It felt less like a medical procedure and more like a punish

elicate diamond band on her right hand. It wasn't an engagement ring, but it was expensive and new

ing," Ava said, her v

ed at Liam with wide, innocent eyes. "Liam felt so bad about everything that happened... he said I deserved something for my

it is," A

hloe as if Ava were a monster. "Chloe is a guest in our home, and she is helping to care for

ath. Apologize? To the woman who was tormentin

e word was filled with all the defiance she

pulled out his phone and made a call. "Ben? It's Liam. Ava is being... unco

don't want to cooperate. You don't want to apologize

ifying dread. He wasn't just going to threaten her. He was going to use force. He w