2|Feel My Pain

Keane's favorite stuffed animal wasn't on his bed. Some of his favorite toys weren't on top of the dresser either. I checked his drawers. It was empty. No. Who took my son? Could the babysitter have kidnapped my baby?

I rushed out of the room and checked the nanny's room. Her wardrobe was empty. The suitcase she used to carry her belongings wasn't beside the closet either. Oh, my God. It couldn't be happening.

I dialed the woman's phone. Hearing the dial tone, I waited impatiently. But until the ringing ended, the woman didn't answer. Olivia didn't pick up after two calls. Shit! Where did the nanny take my son?

My phone vibrated as I descended the stairs. Reading the name, I answered immediately. “What did you do to Keane? Where is he!?”

“I'm at Channing's house, ma'am. Keane is with me,” she answered.

“Oh.” I was stunned. That was right. Maybe Mom asked her to bring my son there because I stayed in Cullen's room. “I'm coming.”

I felt relieved knowing my son was in safe hands. Thankfully, I was mistaken. I could have died if I'd lost Keane, too. Cullen had gone suddenly and left no message. I only had my son.

The guard opened the gate, and I parked the car in the front yard. I got out of the car and ran to the door. The butler opened it before I knocked. The man greeted me kindly.

“Where is my son?” I asked impatiently.

“Sorry, ma'am. You can only enter up to here.” The butler held out his hand, preventing me from entering further.

“What do you mean?” I asked in confusion. “This is my in-laws' house.”

“I'm not your in-law anymore,” Mom said. She walked down the stairs.

I furrowed my brow. “Mom? What do you mean?” I questioned.

“You and Cullen were married until death do you part,” she replied casually. “My son is dead. So you're not my daughter-in-law anymore. Go. You can stay at the Cullen house until you remarry.”

It was our wedding vows, but that didn't mean death broke our relationship. Cullen remained my husband even though he was gone. Keane united me with him and his family forever. His mother couldn't deny our relationship.

“I came to pick up my son.”

She scoffed. “Keane is my grandson. He will be Channing's successor. We'll raise him according to our family traditions. Go, Darcy.”

“What do you mean? Keane can't stay here. He must stay with his mother.”

“Do you think I would entrust him to a wicked woman like you? I accepted you as my daughter-in-law because Cullen begged me to. He said he couldn't live without you. Foolish child. Why would he marry a cheater?

“Even in front of his grave, you dare to gaze lovingly at your affair. What an ignorant woman. I don't want you using my grandson to control Channing's wealth. Get out of here, or I'll call the police!”

Realizing I was at a disadvantage, I lowered my ego. I couldn't melt my mother-in-law's heart if I were as harsh as her. I did it for my son. Channing was my family, and I had to be nice to them.

I reached over and took Mom's hand. “Please don't do this,” I begged. “Keane will cry nonstop if he doesn't see me for days. I'm not asking anything of you. I work and have enough savings. I can raise my son.

“Please draw up a letter of agreement. I don't care what it says. I won't demand any share. I beg you. I can't live without Keane,” I pleaded.

Mom smiled and pulled her hand away roughly. “Good. I want to hear that. I want you to know how it feels to be half alive when someone takes your son away from you. Because that's how I felt when you betrayed Cullen and acted like a saint asking for him back.”

“Mom?”

“I want you to feel the pain of watching your son from afar without being able to do much for his life. Thankfully, I love Keane and would never hurt him. Goodbye, Darcy. Thank you for bringing Keane into the world. You did a great job.” Mom turned around.

“No, Mom. Please don't do this. Mom!” I panicked as I saw her walking towards the stairs, ignoring me.

“Ma'am, you can't come in. Please leave.” The butler blocked me, but I dodged.

I looked around me. “Keane! Keane! Where are you, Son!? Mommy's coming! Mommy's coming for you!” I approached the stairs, but the butler stopped me. “Ma'am, you can't come in,” he insisted.

“Move aside! I need to see my son!” I tried to get past him, but two hands came from behind.

“Please come with us, ma'am,” the security guard said.

I stared at him in disbelief. Bridget must have told them to kick me out of the house. I turned my head toward the stairs. My chest ached. My son was so close to me, but I couldn't reach him.

My world was slowly collapsing with every step away from the house. I couldn't fight the two large security guards. They forced me into the car and closed the door.

Tears blurred my vision, but I wiped them away. My hands on the steering wheel were shaking, so I took a deep breath and let it out slowly to calm myself down. I didn't need to worry. Keane was my son. I would get him back.

Blinding light came from my car's three mirrors. I glanced at the rearview mirror. There was a car behind me that had its headlights on. Had he gone mad? Why would he do that? A person could get into an accident if their vision were compromised.

I put the right blinker on to signal I was slowing down and let the car pass through. The driver aligned his SUV, and a man yelled, "Pull over! Stop your car!"

My heart was beating fast at the sight of the creepy-faced man. The man sitting behind the steering wheel was even creepier. Could it be they wanted to rob me or hurt me slowly? Realizing I was in danger, I stepped hard on the gas pedal.

“Hey!” the man shouted.

I ignored the car horn and drove on. Fortunately, it was after work. The highway wasn't jammed. I drove as fast as I could so they couldn't follow me. However, some cars seemed to block my way and lead me somewhere.

“Shit!” I cursed, seeing that I was in a deserted place.

I looked back, and the car was still following me. Please, please, please. I was in a row of empty warehouses. No vehicles or people passing by was a bad sign. Why didn't I quickly notice they were leading me to that place?

Two cars were coming from ahead of me, and there was no opening to turn right or left to avoid them. I had to stop the car before we crashed. The three vehicles screeched to a halt, simultaneously surrounding my car.