Chapter 4

Adrian’s face turned completely black.

Chloe chimed in with her sweet, whiny voice, "Claire, how can you teach the child to talk like that?"

"Even if you and Adrian are divorced, he is still Adrian’s son."

I finally lost my patience. "I said,"

"This child is not his."

With that, I carried Leo straight down the stairs.

A taxi happened to be parked by the curb. I pulled the door open and climbed in.

"The Children's Hospital, please," I told the driver.

The car slowly pulled away.

Through the rearview mirror, I could see Adrian standing on the pavement, his expression incredibly dark.

Chloe stood beside him, gently wrapping her arm around his.

I looked away, feeling nothing but exhaustion.

Leo snuggled into my chest and asked softly, "Mommy, why did that uncle say he’s my daddy?"

I patted his head. "Because he got the wrong person, sweetie."

"Oh."

The little guy was quickly distracted by the view outside the window.

"Mommy, look! A giant yellow duck!"

I looked in the direction he was pointing.

Suddenly, the deafening screech of brakes echoed through the air!

Crash!

A violent impact slammed into us, throwing me hard against the front seat.

The world spun wildly, and the air was filled with terrified screams.

By the time I realized what had happened, the taxi had flipped onto its side.

Shattered glass littered the road, and the thick, metallic smell of blood filled the air.

My head was spinning painfully, but my survival instinct screamed one thing: find my son.

"Leo!"

"Leo!"

My little boy was pinned near the seat, his face deadly pale, his forehead covered in blood.

"Mommy..."

His voice was so weak I could barely hear it.

My blood ran cold.

"Help!"

"Please, someone save my son!"

Half an hour later.

Outside the emergency room, I stood drenched in blood, my hands trembling uncontrollably.

I could still feel Leo's tiny hand clutching mine before he was wheeled in.

He had whispered, "Mommy... it hurts..."

My heart felt like it was being ripped out.

Just then, hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway.

Adrian and Chloe had actually followed us to the hospital.

Chloe looked pale, her face twisted into a mask of deep concern. "Claire! How is the baby? Is he going to be okay?"

I stared at her, my mind flashing back to the truck that had suddenly lost control and rammed into us.

It was too coincidental.

So coincidental that it was impossible not to suspect her.

I stepped toward her, one agonizing step at a time. "Chloe, did you arrange this?"

Chloe stiffened.

"What?"

My eyes were bloodshot, my voice shaking with rage. "The car crash. Did you plan this?!"