All Chapters of The billionaire's secret baby : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

AVAI woke up the next morning with Liam's words echoing in my head. "Once I have full custody, I won't need her anymore." The betrayal cut deeper than any physical wound. I'd signed away my freedom for nothing but borrowed time with my son.The sound of Eli's laughter drifted down the hallway, and I followed it like a lifeline. I found him in the playroom with Elena, who was teaching him to count in what sounded like Spanish."Uno, dos, tres," Eli repeated carefully, clapping his hands."Very good, Master Eli," Elena praised. "You're so smart.""Morning, sweetheart," I said, entering the room.Eli looked up and smiled. "Mama! Elena is teaching me numbers!""That's wonderful." I knelt down beside them. "Can you show Mama?"But Elena immediately stood up, smoothing her crisp uniform. "Actually, it's time for Master Eli's educational program. We can't disrupt his learning schedule.""Educational program? He's barely two years old.""Early childhood development is crucial," Elena said, p

AVAThe bruises on my wrist had turned a deep purple by the next morning. I covered them with long sleeves and tried to act normal, but everything felt different now. Every time Liam spoke to me, I flinched. Every time he moved too quickly, my heart raced.I was sitting in the living room, watching Elena conduct another one of Eli's "educational sessions," when Marcus appeared in the doorway. Liam's head of security was a tall, quiet man who seemed to blend into the background most of the time. I'd barely spoken to him since moving in."Mrs. Blackwood," he said in his calm, professional voice. "Mr. Blackwood asked me to remind you about the charity lunch at two."I'd completely forgotten about it. Another event where I'd smile and pretend to be the happy wife while rich women talked about helping people they'd never met."Right. Thank you, Marcus."He started to leave, then paused. "Ma'am? You might want to wear something with longer sleeves. The restaurant can be quite cold."I looke

AVAI spent the rest of the day after meeting Marcus trying to act normal. But every time I looked at Victoria's smiling face in the family photos scattered around the penthouse, I felt sick. She'd been playing a game this whole time, and I was the target.The next afternoon, Victoria arrived for what she called a "surprise visit." She swept into the penthouse like she owned it, air-kissing me on both cheeks and cooing over Eli."Darling, you look tired," she said, studying my face. "Are you sleeping well?""Fine, thank you.""Motherhood can be so exhausting. Especially when you're not used to... this level of responsibility."Elena appeared with Eli, who ran to Victoria with excitement. "Aunt Victoria! You came back!""Of course, sweet boy. I brought you something special."She pulled out an expensive-looking educational toy that immediately captured Eli's attention. While he played with it, Victoria turned to Elena."How is his development coming along?""Very well, Miss Sterling. H

AVAI ran from Liam's study, their laughter following me down the hallway. My hands were shaking so badly I could barely turn the doorknob to my bedroom. Once inside, I collapsed against the door and let the tears come.Everything was falling apart. My marriage was a lie, my son was being drugged, and now they wanted to have me declared mentally incompetent. I felt like I was drowning, and every time I tried to surface, someone pushed me back under.But then I thought about Eli. Sweet, trusting Eli who didn't understand why Mama seemed sad all the time. Eli who was being turned into a quiet, compliant version of himself with daily doses of sedatives.I couldn't let that continue. Even if it meant losing everything else, I had to protect him.I pulled out my suitcase and started throwing clothes into it. Not everything that would take too long and look too suspicious. Just enough for a few days while I figured out my next move.I had some cash hidden in my jewelry box, money I'd saved

AVALiam's words hung in the air between us. "You think I didn't need saving too?"I stared at him, seeing something raw and vulnerable in his eyes that I'd never seen before. For the first time since I'd known him, his perfect control was cracking."What do you mean?"He ran his hands through his hair, pacing to the window. "That night at the club. You remember it differently than I do.""I remember you were drunk. Angry about something.""I was destroyed." His voice was barely above a whisper. "Completely destroyed.""Why?"Liam was quiet for a long moment, staring out at the city lights. "I'd just come from my lawyer's office. Isabella's lawyer, actually.""I don't understand.""Three weeks before she died, Isabella filed for divorce."I felt my heart stop. "She what?""She'd been planning to leave me for months. Working with lawyers, hiding money, making arrangements.""But you said she left that night because of a fight..""The fight was about the divorce papers. I'd just found o