Chapter 1 - THE FOOTSTEPS BEHIND HER
Lily’s fingertips were only inches from Ethan when Serena lifted her foot again.
This time, the pointed heel was aimed directly at Lily’s hand.
Then a slow, heavy sound echoed from the dark hallway.
Footsteps.
Measured.
Unhurried.
Terrifyingly calm.
Serena froze before her shoe could come down.
The color drained from her face.
Everyone in the Blackwood estate recognized those footsteps.
Victor Blackwood had returned home.
He emerged from the shadows wearing a charcoal suit and a black overcoat dampened by the Chicago rain.
Two armed guards followed several paces behind him.
Victor’s expression did not change when he saw Serena standing over Lily.
It did not change when he saw the blood on the marble.
But when his eyes found Ethan, something inside him turned deadly.
His briefcase slipped from his hand.
“Step away from my son.”
Victor’s voice was quiet.
Serena immediately lifted both hands.
“Victor, thank God you’re here.”
She forced tears into her eyes.
“The nanny lost control.”
Lily stared at her in disbelief.
Serena pointed toward the child.
“She grabbed Ethan and threw him down.”
“That’s a lie.”
Lily’s voice was weak, but it carried across the foyer.
Serena spun toward her.
“Be quiet.”
Victor raised one hand.
The entire room fell silent.
He crossed the marble floor and knelt beside Ethan.
The little boy’s eyes were barely open.
His injured arm rested at a terrible angle against his chest.
Victor touched his son’s cheek.
“Ethan.”
The boy did not respond.
Victor’s composure cracked.
“Call Dr. Reeves.”
One of the guards immediately reached for his phone.
Victor carefully lifted Ethan.
The moment the child felt his father’s arms, a faint whimper escaped his lips.
Then his tiny fingers moved.
They did not reach for Victor.
They reached toward Lily.
Victor followed his son’s gaze.
Lily was still lying on the floor, one hand pressed against her ribs.
“Please.”
She fought through the pain.
“Don’t let Serena near him.”
Serena’s eyes flashed with warning.
Victor noticed.
For the first time, he looked at his fiancée as though she were a stranger.
“What happened here?”
Serena opened her mouth.
Before she could answer, Ethan whispered one broken word.
“Lily.”
Victor’s face became unreadable.
He handed Ethan to his most trusted guard.
Then he slowly turned toward Serena.
“Lock every door.”
May you like
Serena’s breath caught.
“No one leaves this house until I know the truth.”
