istian's side, his face a mask of innocence. "Mommy,

trike, designed to paint me a

revulsion was so strong, so visceral, I couldn't b

m fell

r used my full name before. It was a clear sign. I had crossed a line. H

h a fury that chilled me to the bone. "And you are going

and two of his security

this!" I cried

their grips like iron, and dragged me from th

ded cage. Christian didn't come to see me. The house was silent, except for the faint soun

rough her feed, a voyeuristic journey into the life that should have been mine. Pictures of her, Christian, and Jace a

stian stood there, his face a caref

voice soft. "I overreacted. But you

r. "I had another DNA test

ie, another piece of his elaborate gaslighting

99.99%. It declared Jace

voice laced with sincerity. "But I'll get to the bottom of it. I

s of dark hair. "Here. Take this. Have it tested yourself.

masterful actor. There was no flicker of doubt, no hint of dece

and the means to bribe my s

through his hair. "Don't start this again. I

art auction next week. A friend of mine is donating a painting. I got us ticke

id, pulling

lace where no one knew my name. I submitted the hai

came back

ted parties share a

words again, and then a third time. Hope

. He had intended to give me Jace's hair, to "prove" I was his mother a

was my son's hair.

e was

I had to be careful. I couldn't trust anyone Chris

dollars to mail a small envelope for me. Inside was the hair sampl

ering on my back. Kassidy was there, of course, seated at Christian's left hand. He claimed he brough

on the art. I had a new p

went out. A collective gasp went th

first instinct was to find Christian. I saw him across the room, but he wasn't

n after

, hard slap. He would not

around my waist, lifting me off my feet. I struggled,

n. Our eyes met for a fraction of a second

d, my voice muffled by

idy let out a pained cry, clutching her

that moment of hesitation, my fate was sealed. He

He left me t

yes. The last thing I saw before the darkness took me was Christian,