Chapter 2

02

Clutching Theo to my chest, I kicked open Brenda Ramos's office door.

"Why was my son abandoned on the freezing street?" I roared at her. "And whose child is in that photo you texted me?"

Brenda quickly put on a professional smile. "Mr. Mercer, you must be mistaken. Let me pull up the security footage for you."

She clicked on her monitor. The video clearly showed the baby in the crib had never left the room since birth.

"You see? Your son has been here the entire time, receiving top-tier care. As for the one in your arms… only you know where he came from."

I snatched the mouse from her desk and dragged the timeline across the screen.

The feed was in real-time, showing no signs of edits or cuts.

Suddenly, the door was shoved open. Valerie's brother, Derek Cross, marched in with several of their relatives.

Derek slapped a heavy hand onto my shoulder with fake sympathy. "Brother-in-law, what kind of fit are you throwing? Valerie just gave birth. Can't you let her recover in peace?"

"We're both men. I get it," he added in a low voice. "Just wait until she finishes her postpartum recovery before dealing with your outside mess."

"Exactly!" an aunt chimed in. "Valerie went through hell carrying that baby. How could you bring a bastard into her face right now?"

"Bullying your wife and legitimate child for some side piece… have you no shame?"

The relatives bombarded me from every angle.

I shook with pure rage, pointing to the distinct red birthmark behind Theo's left ear. "Look at this! My son has a birthmark right here! Does the baby in that room have one?"

Valerie rushed in, bursting into dramatic tears. "Derek, it's so unfair! I nearly died giving birth to his son, and he's trying to pass off his side piece's child as mine!"

Brenda chimed in smoothly, trying to play peacemaker. "Mr. Mercer, look how upset your wife is. How about I have a nurse feed the little one while you take a minute to calm down?"

Without waiting for my answer, she waved in a nurse holding a bottle.

Theo was starving. The moment he saw the bottle, his tiny arms flailed eagerly.

Before I could stop her, the nurse jammed the nipple into Theo's mouth.

Less than two minutes later, Theo choked and began vomiting violently. His tiny face turned dark purple as he gasped for air.

I scooped him up and patted his back in a panic. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the nurse slipping the empty bottle behind her back, trying to sneak out the door.

I lunged forward and snatched the bottle. "What formula is this? Why is it so watery and pale?"

The nurse looked away, stammering. "It's… it's our retreat's house-made formula blend…"

I glared at Brenda. "I paid for imported organic premium formula. Why the hell are you feeding my son this garbage?"

Brenda crossed her arms unapologetically. "Your real son is drinking the best formula money can buy. As for this stray you brought in… he should be grateful for scraps."

Before I could snap back, Brenda reached out and pinched Theo's arm viciously.

"A street rat begging for food has no right to be picky," she sneered.

Theo was already weak, and the harsh pinch made him scream in agony.

Rage exploded in my skull. I raised my fist to strike her.

Derek lunged from the side, grabbing my collar and shoving me back. "Declan Mercer, don't push your luck!"

"Make another scene and hurt my sister, and I'll beat you to a pulp!"

In my arms, Theo began coughing and vomiting milk again, his tiny body trembling with every labored breath.

I glared at the surrounding relatives. "If anything happens to my son today, I will make every single one of you pay in blood!"

I shoved Derek away with all my strength and bolted out the door with Theo.