Chapter 2

2

The doctors fought for two days and nights to pull Harvey back from the brink of death.

But he was still in critical condition and far from safe.

I stood outside the window, watching my son covered in tubes.

My eyes were constantly wet.

He was always the one most afraid of pain.

Even getting a simple shot required me to hold him tight.

I couldn't even imagine how much it hurt when he was thrown from that height.

Heath Jenkins!

I clenched my fists as my hatred reached its absolute peak.

While he was playing the devoted lover to his ex, our son was suffering inhuman torture.

The doctors told me we needed a compatible blood donor immediately to prevent his condition from worsening.

I didn't hesitate. I went straight to Brianna Sterling's place.

I used all my strength to pound on her door.

When the door opened, Brianna looked startled for a second.

Then she crossed her arms and leaned against the frame with a mocking smile.

"Brooke, it's been a long time."

She looked me up and down, her lips curling into a sneer.

"Years have passed, but you've only gotten more aggressive, haven't you?"

I balled my fists and glared at her with dark, heavy eyes.

"Where is Heath? Tell him to get out here."

Brianna ignored my request and raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, I heard Harvey got kidnapped? Brooke, it's not good to teach a child to lie at such a young age."

"Will he ever tell the truth again after this? You really should―"

My remaining restraint shattered completely.

With bloodshot eyes, I grabbed her by the hair and delivered two hard slaps to her face.

"Keep your mouth shut. Harvey has never lied in his life."

Heath heard the noise and walked out, still wearing an apron.

He saw what happened and immediately pulled Brianna into his arms.

His face turned cold as he shoved me away with force.

"Brooke Miller! What kind of madness is this? Is your son kidnapped again today, or did he jump off a building this time?"

I stumbled back a few steps, my hip hitting the doorframe behind me.

The sharp pain made me gasp, but I didn't look away from him.

I stared at him, my body shaking with pure rage.

"Yes, your son was thrown off a six-story building by a kidnapper. Are you satisfied now? Is this what you wanted?"

Heath froze for a split second, but then a look of annoyance crossed his face.

"Brooke! That's enough! Harvey is only this way because you spoiled him!"

"He cries every time someone says a word to him, acting like a little girl. I should have toughened him up long ago!"

"When he's a bit older, I'll send him to a military school to see if they can fix his attitude."

My face turned grim. I stepped forward and grabbed him by the collar.

I used every ounce of my strength to slap him across the face.

"Heath Jenkins, are you freaking deaf? I said your son was almost killed because of you!"

"He is lying in a hospital bed right now, and we don't even know if he'll make it! Do you understand?"

Heath stood there stunned, looking at me with suspicion.

After a moment, he let out a cold laugh.

"Find a more believable reason to trick me into coming home next time."

I closed my eyes, feeling a wave of total powerlessness wash over me.

"The doctor will call you tomorrow morning for a blood transfusion. It's the only way to save him."

"If you don't show up, consider your relationship with your son officially over."

I threw those words at him and walked away without looking back.

The next morning, Heath actually showed up at the hospital.

He looked at Harvey's frail body on the bed and turned pale.

"That's not Harvey…" he whispered under his breath.

I let out a cold, sharp laugh.

"Open your damn eyes and look. The boy covered in tubes is the son you wished was dead!"

I watched his face grow paler as I stepped closer to him, my eyes burning with rage.

"While you were playing house with Brianna, your son was being tossed off a building."

"Did you have a good night? Did you ever once think about your son bleeding on the pavement?"

"Stop it! Just stop!"