Chapter 4

The police checked their records. A child named Owen Reed did exist.

Now even Hale looked doubtful.

"Mr. Reed, are you certain your son is missing? Could he be hiding somewhere in the house?"

No. That was impossible. I knew what I'd seen. Evan Reed.

"Please. Just go inside and look. Here's a photo of my son."

Rachel immediately objected.

"You can't go in. The operating room is sterile, and Ruby's condition is critical. We have to proceed."

Claire glared at me.

"Stop being so unreasonable. Because of you, Ruby is lying there alone on the operating table. Do you have any idea what you're putting her through?"

She pointed toward the exit. "Go home and check. Evan will be there.

"Honestly, what kind of father are you? This is completely irresponsible."

Blake fixed his eyes on me.

"I know I can't measure up to you, Ethan. But she's my only child. Why can't you just leave me alone?"

I couldn't take another word.

I kicked him hard enough to send him sprawling.

"Is lying about me all you know how to do? If you've touched my son, Blake, I'll make you wish you hadn't."

He curled around his stomach and looked up at Claire, wounded and pleading.

Her chest heaved.

"You're vicious. I must have been blind to marry you."

She strode over, seized my arm, and dragged me toward the exit.

"Go home!"

A strong arm pulled me free. Strong fingers pulled me free and drew me behind someone's shoulder.

The voice that followed was low with barely contained anger.

"Try laying another hand on him."

I knew that voice. Relief nearly buckled my knees.

"Victoria. You're here."

I gripped her arm. "Please help Evan. They've already started cutting."

Victoria Bennett was Claire's older sister. For the past five years, she'd looked after us whenever she could. Especially Evan.

She gave me a steady, reassuring look, then signaled to the bodyguards behind her.

They moved straight to the operating room.

"Get that door open," she ordered. "Break it down if you have to. Stop the surgery."

Claire stared at her sister.

"Victoria… What do you think you're doing?"

Victoria stayed between us.

"Standing up for my future husband. You don't appreciate him. I will."

"No." Claire's disbelief curdled into rage. "So that's it, Ethan? You already had someone waiting in the wings? That's why you want a divorce?"

I slapped her. A red mark bloomed across her cheek.

"There really is no getting through to you."

Victoria's guards got the operating room door open.

The hospital director came rushing over. Victoria turned to him.

"I'll take responsibility for stopping the procedure. Any consequences are mine."

I ran inside first.

A small, pale body lay beneath the surgical drape. Through the opening, I could see exposed skin.

My hands shook as I looked at the identification tag.

It didn't say Owen Reed.

It clearly said Evan Reed.

I covered my face. For a moment I couldn't make myself believe it, even with the proof right there.

A trembling nurse pulled back the drape enough for me to see him.

There was no color in his lips. He looked dead.

I turned on Claire, hitting her with everything I had.

"You monster. You monster!"

I hit her with my fists, my feet, everything I had. I wanted to beat her to death.

"That's Evan! Were you going to kill your own son?"

Claire saw his face and froze.