Chapter 1

Zoey's POV

"Justin Gould!" I shouted from behind Justin, my voice shaking with fury.

Justin whipped around. When he saw me, the color drained from his face. He hurried over to block my path.

He demanded, "How did you find me here? Were you following me?"

Tears welled in my eyes as I glared at him.

I snapped, "Why did you lie to me and tell me Tommy was dead? You knew how much he meant to me. After Tommy died, I suffered severe postpartum depression and tried to kill myself several times. I almost didn't make it. Move. I want to see my son!"

Justin's expression hardened. He grabbed my wrist and pulled me toward the exit.

"Your son? Tommy is Lyra's son now. Go home, and you can still be my wife. But if you keep this up, we're getting a divorce!"

I couldn't break free. The cold look in his eyes made my heart sink even further. "Fine. Let's get a divorce. But I'm taking Tommy with me. He's my son!"

When Justin saw that I wouldn't let the matter go, his face darkened. He hoisted me over his shoulder.

I pounded on his back and kicked at him, but he ignored me and carried me straight to his car, then shoved me inside.

He sped back to our house. Before I could even struggle, he dragged me downstairs and threw me into the basement.

"You're too worked up right now. Stay here and calm down. Once you've cooled off, we'll talk about Tommy." His voice was stern.

The heavy metal door slammed shut, cutting off the light.

The basement was cramped and pitch-dark. Panic seized me. My heart raced, and the room began to spin.

I pounded on the trapdoor with all my strength and begged in a hoarse voice, "Let me out, Justin! You know I have claustrophobia! You can't do this to me. Please, let me out. I'm going to die if I have a panic attack. Please…"

It felt like a massive weight was crushing my chest. I could barely breathe.

I gasped for air, my vision going blurry as my fingernails scraped against the door. "My meds! They're still in the bedroom! Justin, I can't breathe..."

Justin's indifferent voice came through the metal door. "I'll let you out when you sign away your custody rights to Tommy and promise you'll never bring this up again."

I was shaking with anger, my breathing growing more frantic as I shouted back. "In your dreams!"

Justin kicked the door in frustration. "Then stay there until you come to your senses!" His footsteps gradually faded away.

The heavy silence and cramped space of the basement sent me into a full-blown claustrophobic panic.

My ears rang sharply, my arms and legs began to spasm uncontrollably, and my head felt like it was splitting open. My legs gave out, and I collapsed onto the floor, losing consciousness.

I don't know how long I was out before I heard a faint scraping sound from above. Someone was struggling to push open the basement door. I slowly lifted my head and squinted at the sliver of light coming through the opening.

A small face peeked through the crack—it was Tommy Gould. He reached down with his little hand. "Miss, come out!"

I practically scrambled up the stairs on all fours.

The moment I climbed out, I pulled Tommy into my arms. Pressing my cheek against his, I laughed and cried at the same time. "Tommy, don't call me 'Miss'. I'm your mom."

Tommy looked at me in confusion. His lips parted as he tried to say the word. "Mo—"

But before he could finish speaking, Lyra Gould's furious voice suddenly rang out behind him. "You little brat! Who told you to let this bitch out?"