** Paige’s POV ** The air in the living room is cooler, and I breathe it in, pressing a hand to my chest, trying to slow the frantic beat of my heart, but the images won’t leave me alone. Hunters smiling at my table. Raising glasses to toast my marriage. Leaning down to pat Jax on the head, their hands inches from his tiny throat. A sob escapes before I can swallow it. I press my hand to my mouth, trying to muffle the sound, but it’s useless. The panic floods through me until I feel like I’m drowning. I don’t hear Parker until he’s right behind me. “Paige,” he murmurs, his voice low, careful. I shake my head, unable to face him, unable to face anyone. “I let them in. I let them near him. What kind of mother…” “Don’t,” he cuts in, moving around to look at me. “Don’t you dare blame yourself. You had no idea any of this existed.” I drop onto the sofa, burying my face in my hands. “But I should have known. I should have seen something.” Parker kneels in front of me, pulling
Last Updated : 2025-10-01 Read more