His hand closed around my throat so tight I could barely breathe. I forced the words out through the crushing pressure.
"I didn't..."
June came in crying, dropping to her knees in front of me.
"Please, Serena, you can be angry at me all you want, but the baby is innocent."
"Still lying!"
Patrick's fury spiked. His palm cracked across my face.
My cheek erupted in a searing burn, and the taste of copper flooded my mouth.
"I'll ask you one more time. Where is the child?"
I summoned every ounce of strength I had left and screamed back at him.
"You locked me in that storage room for a full day and night! How could I have taken the baby? Are you blind?"
"There are cameras all over this house. Just check the footage and you'll know exactly where the child went!"
"You still have the nerve to talk back? You're the only person in this house who hates June and the baby."
That set him off. He dragged me into the living room, took a whip from one of his bodyguards, and stood over me.
"I'm asking you one last time. Where is the child? Don't make me do something you won't like."
I lifted my chin. "Touch me, and you'll regret it."
The next second, the whip came down. It bit into my flesh, and a scream tore from my throat before I could stop it.
Once. Twice. Three times.
"Are you going to tell me? Where is the child?"
I clenched my teeth and refused to break.
"I don't know."
I lost count of the lashes. Blood soaked through my clothes, and the edges of my vision blurred.
Just as I was about to lose consciousness, the nanny's frantic voice rang out from the hallway.
"Sir, they found the baby! It was Mrs. Fox's maid. She took the child to the Fox residence!"
The whip slipped from Patrick's hand and hit the floor. He looked at me, at the blood and torn skin, and something behind his eyes cracked.
His hands trembled as he reached down to pick me up.
"Serena..."
He hadn't even crouched all the way down before June's sobbing pulled him back.
"Patrick, the housekeeper says the baby might be sick. He won't stop crying. What do we do?"
The color drained from his face. He straightened immediately, wrapped his arm around June, and headed for the door.
"Don't worry, don't worry. We'll take him to the hospital right now."
He didn't look back at me once.
The footsteps faded. I lay on the floor staring up at the ceiling, a bitter smile twisting my lips. Then everything went black.
When I opened my eyes again, three days had passed. The house was empty.
The one maid who still cared about me brought me a glass of water, her eyes red with pity.
"Ma'am, every doctor in the hospital got called away to look after the young master. I had a private physician come to bandage you up, but you really need to get to a hospital yourself."
I took the glass, nodded, and managed a small, grateful smile.
My phone rang. A courier.
I went to the door and picked up the package. Inside were two finalized divorce certificates.
I placed Patrick's copy on the desk in his study.
Then I picked up the little luggage I had and walked out.
I hadn't gotten far when my phone rang again.
It was Maurice Sanchez.
"Serena, I'm almost there."
At the same time, a string of messages flooded my screen.
From my mother:
"Serena Fox, do you have any idea today is June's birthday? We're all waiting for you. Don't you dare make a scene."
From Carl:
"Serena Fox, get over here for June's birthday party. Apologize to her in front of everyone and we'll let the whole thing go."
From Patrick:
"Serena, once June's birthday is over, I have a surprise for you. After that, we'll be together forever."
The messages made my stomach turn.
Together forever? Patrick, there is no "after" for us.
I blocked every single number without a second of hesitation, then deleted them all.
A moment later, a limited-edition luxury car pulled up in front of me.
Maurice Sanchez stepped out holding a bouquet, his stride steady and sure as he walked toward me.
"Serena, I'm here to take you home."
I nodded. My eyes stung, and my throat ached.
We got in the car and drove away.
On the ride, I sent a message to an anonymous contact.
Make sure my gift drops tonight, right at the peak of the birthday gala.
I watched the scenery blur past the window and let a slow smile curve my lips.
"I hope you all enjoy the present."
