Chapter 3

I walked into Liam's room and my heart shattered. He sat on the floor, listlessly pushing a small wooden block back and forth. He didn't even look up as I entered.

I scooped him into my arms, holding him tight against my chest. The tears I had been holding back finally broke free, silent and hot on my cheeks. He was so light, so fragile.

"What do you think you're doing?"

Mark's voice was a whip crack behind me. He grabbed my arm and pulled me, with Liam still in my arms, back into the room. His face was a mask of pure disgust.

"Don't you dare make a scene in front of Ethan. We're trying to have a nice day."

I looked past him, through the window of Liam's room. I could see into Olivia's room across the courtyard. It was filled with balloons and a mountain of presents for Ethan. A welcome party.

Liam's room was bare. Not a single toy, not a single card.

The door swished open and Olivia sauntered in, a smug, triumphant smile on her face. She looked me up and down.

"Sarah. You look awful. But I'm feeling so much better. Thanks for the... donation."

She leaned in close, her voice a venomous whisper only I could hear.

"It was so easy, you know. He's such a trusting little boy. A few crackers and my Ethan gets the life he deserves. And Mark gets the heir he's always wanted."

My whole body went rigid. Before I could react, she did something unbelievable. She turned to Ethan, who had followed her in, and pinched his arm, hard.

The boy's face crumpled and he let out a piercing shriek.

Olivia immediately rounded on me, her eyes wide with fake horror. "What did you do? You hurt him! You hurt my son!"

Mark spun around, his eyes locking on Ethan's crying face. He didn't ask. He didn't hesitate.

"Sarah! You monster! What did you do to him?" he roared.

Olivia fanned the flames, tears welling in her own eyes. "She's jealous! She's lashing out because Liam is... you know. Damaged. She can't stand to see a healthy, happy boy."

The sound of Mark's hand cracking across my face echoed in the small room. My head snapped back, the sting bringing fresh tears to my eyes.

"Ethan is my son now!" Mark bellowed, his face inches from mine. "My real son! Do you understand me?"

A strange, guttural sound came from my arms. Liam, who had been limp and unresponsive, was now rigid. He saw my tears. He saw the red mark on my cheek. He looked at Mark, then at the crying Ethan.

With a strength I didn't know he possessed, Liam launched himself out of my arms and pushed Ethan with all his might. Ethan stumbled backward and fell to the floor.