Chapter 319
Tommy’s been caught. Haven has him.
She set the phone down with trembling fingers, catching her reflection in the mirror–wild–eyed and pale, barely recognizable as the poised socialite who’d haunted Silver City’s elite gatherings.
“Shit, shit, shit, she whispered, pressing her palms against her temples.
A soft knock pulled her back from the edge of panic. Her security chief stood in the doorway, waiting silently for instructions.
“Tommy’s family,” she said, reing authority into her voice. “Get them out of the country. Tonight.”
The man shifted his weight. “Miss, it’s not that simple. Ilaven’s people are already-*
“I don’t care if you have to stuff them in diplomatic pouches!” Desperation sharpened her tone to a knife’s edge. “Get them across the border! Now!”
He nodded once, jaw tight. “Understood.”
When the door closed, Samantha sank onto her bed, the fight draining out of her.
“Everything’s falling apart,” she whispered, staring at nothing. “Adam why couldn’t you just choose me? Why her?”
The silence offered no answers.
While plans unfolded in Silver City’s wealthy districts, ordinary lives were being shattered in its quieter corners. Kelly was loading the dishwasher when her front door burst open. She spun, grabbing a kitchen knife that suddenly felt absurdly small.
“Stay behind me,” she hissed to Emma, who clutched her teddy bear.
Men in dark clothing crowded her kitchen, faces blank.
“Who are you?” Kelly demanded. “What do you want?”
The lead man stepped forward. “Kelly and Emma. You’re coming with us.”
“Like hell we are!” Kelly backed up, pushing Emma further behind her.
“Your husband is in Adam Haven’s custody,” he stated flatly. “You don’t come with us, Tommy doesn’t see morning.”
Emma’s small voice broke through. “Mommy? Is Daddy okay?”
Kelly’s face crumpled. “Please, we haven’t done anything.”
The man checked his watch. “Ten seconds to decide. Come with us, or Tommy dies.”
Tears streamed down Kelly’s face as she nodded. “We’ll go. Just let me get Emma’s things-”
“Now,” he cut her off.
They were hustled outside, Emma’s teddy bear tumbling forgotten to the doorstep. As the SUVS pulled away, the stuffed animal lay abandoned, a single witness to a family torn apart.
1/2
Chapter 319
The next morning arrived with no knowledge of the night’s events in Irene’s peaceful home. Golden light poured through her kitchen as pancake batter sizz ed on the griddle. Lily arranged strawberries into smiley faces while Afex and Lucas bickered over chore distribution like tiny lawyers.
Mom! Tell Lucas the pancake–flipper gets to choose the movie tonight!”
“That’s not a rule!” Lucas protested. “Last time you picked that princess documentary again!”
Irene’s phone buzzed on the counter, Matthew’s name lighting up the screen. She trapped it between ear and shoulder, still flipping pancakes.
“Hey, what’s up?”
“Morning,” Matthew’s voice was warm through the speaker. “Got something I want to discuss with you. Think you’d find it interesting.”
She hesitated, spatule hovering mid–flip. “Today’s pretty packed… maybe late morning?”
“No rush,” he assured her. “Whenever works for you.”
After hanging up, Irene glanced down at her phone wallpaper–Adam with the triplets at Ocean World Park, his rare smile catching her off guard every time she saw it.
Something had been off during their last session. Dark circles shadowed his eyes, tension locking his shoulders. Not like him at all.
Her finger hovered over his contact. Should she check in? Maybe reschedule with Matthew?
“Mom! He’s drowning perfectly good pancakes in syrup!” Lily’s voice yanked her back to reality.
Irene tucked her phone away, but her thoughts stayed with Adam. The worry that tightened her chest wasn’t just professional concern anymore. Somewhere along the way, he’d become important to her–in ways she was only beginning to fully understand.
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