lway was shattered by the sou

here!" a deep, panicked

row furrowing in confusion. She

od of death, his face a mask of terrifying, murderous

y holding the boy. His pupils

conds, bringing a rush of co

bed the boy's arm. He yanked the child out of

rror. He kicked his legs wildly in t

r maternal instinct flaring. She reac

e brought his free hand up an

lished floor. Her back hit the cold stone pillar hard enough to make

hind his legs, shielding

to Kevin?" Beckham roared, his voic

pped br

vi

frozen against the pillar, her eyes darting frantically betw

he boy's age. Five years old. The exact same ye

realization clawed

ad bought. The replacement. The heir.

wave of profound disgust and betrayal washed over her. She felt physically

shed herself off the pillar, her

e I was bleeding out?" she screamed, her voice tearing at h

The panic in his eyes instantly

osing her mind out o

Beckham snarled, stepping closer to her, his c

reached his small hands out from behind Beckh

broken glass. But she forced her jaw to lock. She turned her head away, staring blankly

hed back and clamped his large hand ove

ped forward, forming a solid wall of mu

crying boy into his arms. He sh

of his shoes grew fainter and fainter unti

tood

d down the cold marble pil

uried her face. Her shoulders shook violently as silent, agonizing tears s