LOGINAndrew’s POVI stand there as her words tear straight through me.I hate you.They echo in my head, louder than the chaos around us, sharper than any blade. I told myself I didn’t care. I truly believed it—convinced myself Veronica was just another chapter, something I could walk away from without damage. Someone temporary. Replaceable.But my chest burns, collapsing inward, and my heart betrays me.Why does this hurt so much?How does she matter? I argue with myself desperately. The only thing I should be worried about right now is Luke. My son.Luke.The name alone feels like punishment.What have I done?What kind of father puts his child in danger like this?The realization hits me harder than her words ever could. I failed him. I let my choices, my lies, my secrets spiral so far out of control that my own son paid the price. The shame is unbearable. I don’t deserve to be called a father. I don’t deserve forgiveness—from anyone.Guilt wraps around my chest, heavy and suffocating.
My heart dropped.“What? Luke is missing?”“How come, Mom? He was with you all this time!” I scream, panic crashing over me.Vance reaches for my hand, trying to steady me, but I pull away.“No. I can’t,” I say coldly.I rip the drip from my arm and push myself off the hospital bed.A sharp pain shoots through my abdomen, but I force myself upright.My mother grabs my arm, supporting me as tears spill down her cheeks.“I’ll be back,” Vance says, looking straight into my eyes. “I promise I’ll get him.”I nod weakly.He storms out of the ward, fury in his steps.Vance’s POV I can’t believe my eyes.A sick feeling twists in my gut—I know exactly who might be behind this.The moment I step out of the ward, I sprint toward the elevator, yanking my phone from my pocket.“Hello? Dave?” “Yes, sir,” Dave replies, his voice steady—reassuring, as always.He’s been my most trusted man for the past fifteen years, loyal to me since high school. If there’s anyone I can count on, it’s him. I tell hi
Veronica’s POVThe ward fell quiet after Andrew and his new girlfriend stormed out. The air still carried the remnants of his rage — heavy, sharp, lingering like smoke after a fire. And yet, for the first time in what felt like forever, even after all that chaos, I felt... relaxed.The man in the navy suit stood a few steps away, composed and calm, as if none of what had just happened could shake him. His presence felt strangely grounding — like still water in the middle of a storm, steady and unbothered. There was something about him that made me feel safe, even though I didn’t know who he was or if I could even trust him.I wiped my cheeks quickly and forced a small, shaky smile.“Thank you,” I said, my voice coming out softer than I meant it to. “For stepping in.” I added“I don’t usually— I mean, I can handle myself, but—”He raised a hand slightly, stopping me with a calm gesture. “You don’t owe me an explanation,” he said, his voice low and even, the kind that makes you listen.
“What?” hissed Andrew, his voice sharp, his eyes locked on the man in the navy suit like a predator cornered.The door swung open before anyone could move. Emma slipped inside, her heels clicking lightly against the tiles. A smug smile curved her lips as her gaze darted around the ward. “Oh, Andrew, there you are,” she purred, her tone dripping with mock concern.But the moment her eyes landed on the man standing beside me, her expression faltered. The smile vanished, replaced by a frown that cut across her face like a crack in glass. She looked from him to me, suspicion flashing in her eyes, then back to Andrew, as if piecing together a puzzle she wasn’t supposed to see.“Emma—” Andrew snapped, pushing her hand off his sleeve as though she were nothing more than a distraction. His eyes didn’t leave the stranger, rage burning hot and dangerous in their depths. His chest rose and fell sharply, his composure unraveling with every breath.He leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping in
He stepped in slowly, tall, confident. The kind of presence that makes the air shift without a sound. Dark hair swept back, perfectly tailored navy suit, crisp white shirt, and a tie that somehow made him look both intimidating and effortless. Expensive shoes clicked softly against the polished floor. He paused, scanning the room, eyes landing on me with an intensity that made my pulse quicken.“Ms. Veronica,” he said, voice smooth, low, just enough to make me catch my breath. “I’m glad you’re awake.”I blinked. Awake? Alive? The words felt almost too heavy, almost too kind for someone I had never met.Luke’s eyes widened. “Mommy… it’s him!” He jumped off the chair and ran to the man, his small legs carrying him faster than I could have imagined. “He helped me put you to bed! He said everything would be okay!”The man bent down, his dark eyes softening as he held Luke gently. “And you did very well,” he said, ruffling Luke’s hair. “You were brave.”Luke beamed. “I was scared! But you t
“Don’t move!” he yelled.Everything shattered at once—nurses screaming, metal carts crashing, the sharp echo of his boots against the tiles. The guards lunged, but too late. His arm shot up, the gun flashing.The crack of the bullet split the air.Andrew moved first—but not toward me. He dragged Emma into his chest, shielding her, the two of them tumbling hard to the floor. My stomach turned cold even before the pain hit.Then it came—white-hot, tearing through my abdomen, stealing the breath straight from my lungs. I staggered back, hands clutching uselessly at the wound, warmth spilling fast between my fingers.The guards tackled the intruder, shouts and chaos ringing in my ears, but all I could see was Andrew. Not me. Not the blood spreading beneath me. Him—hovering over Emma, panic etched across his face, his hands cradling her like she was everything.I hit the ground, my vision blurring, the sterile lights above warping into harsh halos. My own husband’s voice reached me, broken







