Chapter 2

Nolan's hand cracked across my face with a resounding slap, shouting, "Apologize to Summer!"

I clutched my burning cheek and said urgently, "This isn't the time for apologies! Go check on him! Every minute counts!"

When neither of them moved, I steeled myself and decided to go up myself. No matter what, that was an innocent life. I couldn't just stand by and watch him die.

Summer's eyes immediately welled with tears. She collapsed into Nolan's arms with practiced fragility.

"Nolan, I think Brielle's grief has driven her mad. This is all my fault. The rescue failed because of me…"

Nolan looked like his heart was breaking. He strode forward in two quick steps and grabbed my arm like I was a rag doll. He shoved me to the ground and forced my head down, trying to make me kneel and apologize to Summer.

I kept my head raised, glaring at him as I bit out each word. "I haven't done anything wrong! Why should I apologize? The one who got blown up was Wyatt!

"Mom just took Finn home!"

My words sent Nolan into a fury. He thought I was attacking his precious Summer with vicious lies. He grabbed the back of my head and slammed my forehead into the ground three times.

Sharp gravel tore through my skin. Warm blood streamed down from my forehead and into my eyes. The world turned red.

"Are you sorry yet?" he shouted at me.

I said nothing. Left with no other choice, he released me with a furious shove. Then he left, cradling his precious Summer.

As Summer passed by me, she crouched down slowly and whispered in my ear, "How does it feel to lose your son?

"Let me tell you something. Nolan was mine before, and he'll be mine again. You're just a temporary replacement. You were never worthy of having his child."

I stared at her jealousy-twisted face and felt nothing but sorrow. I used the last of my strength to remind her one more time.

"The one strapped to the bomb really was Wyatt. If you go now, there might still be a chance to save him."

"You're lying!" she screeched.

My words seemed to strike a nerve. She flew into a rage and kicked me hard in the chest. Then she turned and followed Nolan without looking back.

I hesitated for a moment, but reason won out over anger. I struggled to my feet and rushed into the unfinished building that was still billowing black smoke.

The explosion site was in ruins. At the center of the blast lay a small, mangled figure. I rushed over, discovering that although Wyatt had been blown beyond recognition and his entire body charred black, he still had a faint breath left in him.

When he saw me, he called out weakly, "Mrs. Hart… save… save me…"

This wasn't my child. But seeing him in such a pitiful state, tears streamed down my face uncontrollably.

I took off my jacket and wrapped it gently around him. Summoning every ounce of strength I had, I lifted him into my arms and ran like a madwoman toward the nearest hospital.

The entire way, my face was covered in blood. I carried a charred child in my arms, looking like something out of a nightmare.

When I finally reached the hospital, I burst into the emergency hall and screamed at the top of my lungs, "Doctor! Someone get a doctor! Save this child!"

Wyatt had already lost consciousness completely.