Chapter 8

The black SUV cruised down the coastal highway toward Long Island. The morning sun hit the water, but inside the car, the air was freezing.

Haylee sat in the back, wearing dark sunglasses. Leo sat quietly beside her, twisting a Rubik's cube with rapid, precise movements.

The SUV pulled up to the massive iron gates of the Bowen estate.

The old security guard peered into the window. His jaw dropped. He stumbled backward, his hands shaking as he fumbled for the gate button.

Haylee's bodyguard pushed the gate open manually.

Haylee stepped out. Her heels sank slightly into the perfectly manicured lawn as she walked toward the main house, holding Leo's hand.

Wanda, the maid, was polishing the front door handle. She saw Haylee, dropped the rag, and let out a terrified shriek.

The scream echoed into the grand dining room.

Haylee kicked the heavy double doors open. They slammed against the walls with a violent crack.

Walter and Helen Bowen sat at the long mahogany table. Helen's coffee cup slipped from her fingers, shattering on the floor. Walter shot up from his chair, his face turning a dark, furious purple.

"You!" Walter roared, pointing a shaking finger at her. "You ungrateful bitch! You have the nerve to show your face here?"

Helen clutched her pearls, forcing fake tears into her eyes. "You ruined us, Haylee! You ran away, and now you come crawling back for money?"

Haylee didn't blink. She stood at the head of the table, radiating pure ice.

Leo peeked out from behind her leg. He looked at Walter and Helen, his nose wrinkling in disgust. He let out a loud, mocking scoff.

Walter saw the boy. His lips curled into a vicious sneer. "So, five years later, you drag a burden back with you. Whose wild seed is this?"

The word hung in the air.

Haylee moved so fast it was a blur.

She closed the distance, raised her hand, and slapped Walter across the face with every ounce of strength she had.

The crack sounded like a gunshot.

Walter's gold-rimmed glasses flew off his face, clattering into the corner. He stumbled backward, clutching his rapidly swelling cheek, his eyes wide with shock.

Helen screamed. Wanda cowered against the wall.

"Don't you ever," Haylee whispered, her voice vibrating with lethal intent, "speak about my son."

She reached into her bag, pulled out the heavy manila envelope, and threw it directly at Walter's chest.

The envelope burst open. The legal documents scattered across the floor.

"Read it," Haylee commanded. "I'm not here for your dirty money. I'm here to cut the rot out of my life."

Walter looked down. The title of the document burned his eyes. She was legally severing all ties and demanding the return of her biological mother's heirlooms.

"You sign this, you never step foot in this house again!" Walter screamed, spit flying from his lips.

"This house is a graveyard," Haylee sneered. "I wouldn't take it if you begged me."

Walter's hands shook violently as he picked up a pen from the table and scrawled his name on the paper.

Haylee's bodyguard stepped forward and snatched the document.

Haylee turned around. She took Leo's hand and walked toward the door.

She paused at the threshold, looking over her shoulder. "Tell Cynthia to watch her back. I'm coming for her next."

She walked out, the heavy doors slamming shut behind her, sealing the tomb of her past.