CHAPTER 3
Leo, Mia, and Noah pressed themselves deeper into the corner, their pastel blue silk pajamas damp with fresh tears and cold sweat. Seven-year-old Leo reached out blindly, his small fingers clutching frantically at the fabric of Liam’s waistcoat as sobs racked his thin frame.
“Daddy… she said we weren't allowed to make any noise while you were in the study,” Mia whispered through shuddering breaths, her hazel eyes wide with raw terror. Liam pulled them all into his arms at once, wrapping his broad shoulders around their fragile frames to shield them from the world.
“I’ve got you now; you’re safe, nobody is ever hurting you again,” Liam murmured against Leo’s dark hair, his voice cracking with emotion. Across the marble foyer, Victoria pushed herself up onto one elbow, smoothing down her wrinkled wrap dress with a calculated sneer.
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“You’re making a monumental mistake, Liam, and social services won't look kindly on a stressed single father flying off the handle,” Victoria mocked, grabbing her silver high heels from the floor. Liam didn't even look her way as he scooped five-year-old Noah into his strong arms, standing up with steady determination.
“Get out of this house before I lose what little restraint I have left,” Liam stated without turning around, his tone chillingly lethal. Victoria scoffed, tossing her long dark wavy hair over her shoulder before storming toward the grand front entrance with exaggerated poise.
