Chapter 34
“As your husband, it’s my duty to teach you how to behave,” Yosef turned slightly, his voice low and cold. “Hudson, call the security team.
Hudson, who had wisely kept his distance, jumped the moment he heard Yosef’s voice. He shuffled over in tiny steps, cautious. “Mr. Campbell, did you say you want the guards?”
“Do I need to repeat myself?”
Sensing the storm brewing beneath Yosef’s calm exterior, Hudson didn’t dare delay another second. He bolted off to summon the bodyguards, afraid even a split–second’s hesitation would earn him a verbal lashing.
“Teach her what a real apology looks like,” Yosef commanded.
Within moments, a group of towering bodyguards surrounded Skylar. Calm but alert, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a few silver acupuncture needles.
These were leftovers from when she’d used them to coerce a confession out of Jessica. She hadn’t taken them out since, but it looked like they were about to come in handy again.
Just then, Sophie emerged from the restroom and froze. Her boss was surrounded by bodyguards. Her eyes flared with anger.
Rolling up her sleeves, she marched over. “Hey! Who the hell are you? What do
you think you’re doing to our Ms. Lambert?”
She barely got close before a guard blocked her with a firm grip on her arm.
“Let me go! Do you hear me? Let go!” she shouted, struggling to break free. Her eyes landed on Yosef. “Mr. Campbell, is this how you treat your business partners?”
Held in place, Sophie could only watch helplessly as the guards reached for Skylar. She stomped her foot in frustration.
Skylar, calm but focused, positioned the needles just right in her fingers, ready to strike if necessary–until a small figure darted out from behind the bodyguards and hurled himself into the fray.
A tiny foot kicked one guard in the shin. The man barely flinched, and the boy was knocked backward from the recoil. But he didn’t cry. He scrambled up and stood protectively in front of Skylar.
“You can’t hurt my mom!” he shouted, his tiny frame trembling but unwavering.
Skylar blinked, stunned.
“Daddy, you’re mean!” the little boy turned his rage toward Yosef. “Why would
d you
let
these uncles hurt Mommy?”
Yosef’s brows pinched tight. “Adam, did you come here by yourself?”
“Yes, I did!” Adam declared proudly, raising his chin. “All by myself!”
A vein throbbed at Yosef’s temple. “Adam! Do you have any idea how dangerous that was?”
Adam snorted. “I’m not stupid. No one can kidnap me.”
“Why are you even here?” Yosef asked.
“To see Mommy,” he replied, glancing up at Skylar. She gave him a warm smile, her eyes crinkling gently.
Adam turned away quickly, his face flushed red. Mommy smiled at him.”
“You were eavesdropping on my phone call last night, weren’t you?” Yosef accused, voice sharp.
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He remembered the shadow he’d seen beneath the door while arranging a meeting over the phone with Hudson. So it had been this little rascal listening
- in.
“I wanted to see Mommy. What’s wrong with that?” Adam snapped.
“She’s not your mother,” Yosef said sternly, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “Be a good boy and come here. Hudson will take you home.”
Adam’s face scrunched up in fury. “She is my mom! You’re the bad guy! I don’t like you anymore!”
This tiny kid, barely taller than a coffee table, was just as stubborn as Skylar–and somehow managing to spike Yosef’s blood pressure with every word.
Yosef clenched his jaw, remembering his heart condition. He took a deep breath. “Adam, get over here. Now.”
“I’m not going anywhere! You’re all mean! I’m staying with Mommy!” Adam yelled.
Watching the scene unfold, Elianna’s expression twisted. The word “Mommy” slipped from Adam’s lips louder and sweeter with every repetition, stabbing into her like a blade.
She had raised this boy–held him, fed him. And now he called someone else “Mom“?
Her fists clenched. She couldn’t afford to lose her position in the Campbell family now. Not yet.
“Adam, I’m your real mommy,” Elianna said gently, brushing back her damp hair to expose her scalded, reddened skin, hoping he would pity her.
But Adam didn’t even flinch. “You’re not! You’re a bad lady!”
Elianna swayed on her feet, stunned. Her voice broke with disbelief. “Adam, how could you say that? Who taught you to call your mother a bad woman?”
She turned her tear–filled eyes to Skylar. “Skylar, I’m grateful you saved Adam that day, I truly am. But how could you teach him this? Hate me all you want–hurt me if you must–but don’t turn my child against me.”
“You’ve never had children, so you don’t understand how much a mother treasures her bond with her child.”
As she spoke, crocodile tears streamed freely down her cheeks.
Skylar gave a cold laugh. “Maybe ask yourself why he doesn’t feel close to you. Stop blaming me for your failures. Honestly, it’s pathetic.”
“I didn’t mean it like that. I’m sorry,” Elianna stammered, trying to retreat.
“You really only know three words, ‘I’m so sorry,” Skylar said flatly.
Elianna bit down hard on the inside of her cheek, rage bubbling behind her teary gaze. If looks could kill, Skylar would’ve been riddled with holes.
Yosef’s gaze flicked between Adam and Skylar. ‘Why does Adam keep calling her mommy? And why… why does the kid look so much like her?”
‘But the DNA test had proven Elianna was Adam’s mother. It was right there in black and white–undeniable.‘ He thought.
Shoving the thought aside, Yosef hardened his voice. “Adam, don’t make me come over there myself.”
But the boy only tightened his grip around Skylar’s leg. “I’m not going. I want to stay with Mommy!”
Skylar looked down at the small arms wrapped tightly around her leg, eyes wide.
Adam chose her? She wondered. They’d only met once before. And yet he trusted her like this?”
A warmth stirred in her chest, flooding through her like sunlight after rain.
Yosef clenched his fists. He couldn’t let Skylar get too close to his son. Who knew what nonsense she’d fill his head with?
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Chapter 34
He signaled the guards. “Bring the kid here–but don’t hurt him.”
Adam held on tighter. “Mommy, don’t be scared. I’ll protect you! I won’t let them hurt you!”
He pushed away from her leg and charged, his little fists flying like firecrackers. He butted a guard with his head and was instantly knocked backward. Again, he got up.
The guards reached for him, but he darted away like a squirrel.
“Don’t take me back! I hate you, bad Daddy! I want to be with Mommy!” he yelled, his voice breaking.
His tiny chest heaved as he panted for breath, tears streaking down his cheeks.
“Stop,” Yosef barked. “Everyone, stop.”
He stepped forward, “Adam!”
