Chapter 3

Vivienne's POV

"U-Unlock the door, Draven!" I yelled, pressing my back hard against the wood. "You don't own me! I'm not your property!"

His lips curved into a dark smirk, but before he could step closer, his phone buzzed loudly on the desk. He snapped his head towards the desk, taking a step back.

My eyes darted down to his waist. Sitting right there on his belt loop was a small silver key ring.

I didn't hesitate. I shoved my hands hard against his broad chest, catching him completely off guard. He stumbled backwards, and in that split second, my fingers snatched the key ring straight off his belt loop.

Before he could react, I jammed the key into the lock, turned it, and threw the door open. I didn't care about my unlaced shoes or the burning ache in my lower abdomen. I ran. I bolted down the grand hallway, threw myself into the elevator, and hit the main lobby button frantically.

The moment the doors slid open downstairs, I sprinted past his guards and burst into the streets, taking in the cold morning air as I frantically flagged down the first taxi I saw.

My hands shook uncontrollably as I pulled my phone out of my sweatpants pocket. The screen was flooded with multiple missed calls and messages from Dr. Evans, Theo's physician.

VIVIENNE, CALL ME IMMEDIATELY. THEO’S CONDITION HAS DROPPED.

Panic slammed into my chest as I swung the taxi door open, slipping in, "St. Jude’s Hospital! Please, hurry!" I cried out to the driver.

My heart pounded against my chest as tears spilled down my cheeks. I stared at the message, the words echoing in my head like a song on replay. The drive felt endless, every red light making my panic worse. All I could picture was my little boy's face on the hospital bed. Hold on, Theo. Mommy is coming.

When I finally reached the hospital, I sprinted through the glass doors straight to Room 304.

"Theo!" I gasped, rushing inside.

My heart broke into a million pieces as my eyes settled on my baby. My five-year-old son lay on the hospital bed, looking tiny beneath the white blankets. Needles were stuck into his small hands, an oxygen mask covered his pale face, and the heart monitor beeped slowly beside him.

Dr. Evans stepped away from the monitors, looking exhausted. “Vivienne... his condition has gotten worse. He's reached a critical point.”

Tears spilled over my cheeks as I grabbed Theo's tiny, barely warm hand. “What do we do? Tell me what to do!”

Dr. Evans glanced at the monitors before looking back at me. “The treatment isn't working well enough anymore, Vivienne. There's more fluid building up in his lungs, and we need to get it under control.”

My lips trembled. “Then give him something else. Please.”

“He needs the advanced treatment immediately,” he said gently. “We can't keep waiting. If we don't start soon, his condition could become much more dangerous.”

I swallowed hard. “How soon?”

“Within forty-eight hours.”

My fingers tightened around Theo's tiny hand. Forty-eight hours. I already knew what the treatment would cost. Eight hundred thousand dollars. And I didn't even have enough to pay for his next dose of medication.

“I'll go check his latest results,” Dr. Evans said quietly. “I'll come back as soon as I have more information.” He gave me a worried look before walking out of the room.

I had given up my pride and my dignity at that club, enduring all their taunts and insults, and I still had nothing to show for it. I had failed him.

I sank into the chair beside the bed, burying my face in the mattress as I sobbed uncontrollably. "I'm so sorry, Theo... Mommy's so sorry..."

"Did you really think you could run from me again, Vivienne?" A familiar deep voice echoed through the quiet room.

I froze, turning my head slowly towards the door as I stood up. My blood ran cold as I stared at the familiar figure at the door. Draven stood in the doorway, his black shirt unbuttoned at the top, his eyes burning with fury.

"Draven..." I breathed out, scrambling to block the bed from his sight. "How did you find me?"

"Did you honestly think a cheap taxi would hide you from me?" he growled, taking a slow, heavy step into the room. "You snuck out of my bed like a thief just like you used me five years ago, and last night you did it again? You beg for my touch, and then throw me away when the sun comes up? What do you take me for, huh? Some condom you use when convenient and dispose of when you're done!?"

"I was drugged, Draven! I told you…"

"Don't lie to me!" he snapped, stepping into the room. "You knew exactly who I was when you pulled me into that bed! You took advantage of me just as much as you think I took advantage of you!"

"Vivienne!" Dr Evans yelled, his voice urgent as he rushed past the guards, into the room. His eyes remained on his clipboard, face pale as he spoke. "Vivienne, we need to talk about your son's lab results right now! His oxygen levels are…" he froze, lifting his eyes from the clipboard as he swept his eyes around the room.

Draven's head snapped toward the doctor, then his eyes drifted over my shoulder, locking onto the tiny boy lying motionless in the bed with an oxygen mask over his face.

The dark fury on Draven's face completely vanished, replaced by sheer shock. He stared at the little boy, then looked back down at me.

"What son?" Draven asked, his voice low and confused.

Tears streamed down my face as my legs gave out, the frustration eating me.

"My son," I sobbed out, looking straight into his eyes. "Yes, Draven... I have a son.”