Cecelia's POV
The hospital corridor felt too bright while I pushed Golden's wheelchair toward the visitor room where Layla waited to say goodbye to Cameron. Golden sat quietly wrapped in a blanket while his small hands gripped the armrests.
He was finally strong enough to be out of bed for short periods which the doctor said was good progress.
"Why are we going to see her?" Golden asked while looking up at me with those big eyes that
reminded me so much of Zeke.
"Because she needs to say goodbye to her son," I explained while keeping my voice gentle. "And Daddy thought it might help you understand what happened if you see that even bad people have families they care about."
Zeke walked beside us while his hand rested on my shoulder. I could feel his tension through the bond while he wasn't happy about this visit either but had agreed it was necessary for Cameron's sake.
We entered the room while Layla
sat in a chair with two guards standing nearby. She looked smaller than I remembered while her face was pale without makeup. When she saw us her eyes went immediately to Golden while tears started falling.
"I'm so sorry," she whispered while looking at my son. "I never wanted to hurt you."
"Don't talk to him," I said sharply while positioning the wheelchair so I stood between her and Golden. "You don't get to apologize to my child."
The door opened again while a small boy walked in holding a guard's hand. Cameron looked around the room confused while his eyes found his mother.
"Mommy?" Cameron said while his voice was uncertain.
"Come here baby," Layla said while opening her arms.
Cameron ran to her while Layla grabbed him in a tight hug.
She buried her face in his hair while her shoulders shook with sobs. I felt uncomfortable watching this because despite everything Layla
had done she clearly loved her son.
"Why are you crying?" Cameron asked while pulling back to look at his mother's face. "Are you sick?"
"No sweetie, I'm not sick," Layla said while wiping her tears. "But I have to go away for a while."
"Where are you going?" Cameron's face scrunched up with worry.
"Far away," Layla said while struggling to explain. "I did some bad things and now I have to leave as punishment."
"What bad things?" Cameron asked.
"Grown up things you wouldn't understand," Layla said while pulling him close again. "But I need you to know that I love you very much and I'll always be your mommy even when we're apart."
Cameron noticed Golden for the first time while his face lit up with interest. "Who's that?" he asked while pointing.
"That's Golden," Zeke said before Layla could answer. "He's my son."
"Is he my brother?" Cameron asked while looking between us with excitement.
The question made everyone freeze while I saw Layla's face crumble. Zeke knelt down beside Cameron so they were eye level.
"No buddy, Golden isn't your brother," Zeke said gently. "Your father is actually someone else named Robert who you'll be living with now."
"But I thought you were my daddy," Cameron said while confusion filled his small face.
"I thought I was too," Zeke admitted while his voice stayed calm even though I felt his pain through our
bond. "But it turns out I was wrong. Robert is your real father and he's excited to take care of you."
Cameron looked at his mother while clearly not understanding what was happening. "I don't know Robert."
"You'll get to know him," Layla said while fresh tears fell. "He's a good man who loves you very much."
The door opened while a tall man walked in nervously. He had the same build from the security footage while his eyes went immediately to Cameron with such
longing it hurt to see. This was Robert while Cameron's real father.
Zeke stood while moving to block Robert's path. "You're Robert?"
"Yes Alpha," Robert said while bowing his head respectfully. "Thank you for letting me see my son."
"I want to see proof you can actually care for him," Zeke said while his Alpha authority filled his tone. "Job, housing, references."
Robert pulled out a folder while handing it to Zeke. "I have a construction job lined up in the
Riverside territory starting next month. I've rented a three bedroom house with a yard while the lease is already signed. And here are character references from my former Alpha and several pack members who can vouch for me."
Zeke reviewed the documents while I watched his face for reactions.
Finally he nodded while handing the folder back.
"This looks acceptable," Zeke said. "But know that if I hear you're not caring for Cameron properly, I'll come for you personally.
"
"I understand," Robert said while meeting Zeke's eyes. "I know I was a coward before by not claiming my son when he was born. But I want to be his father now while I'll do everything I can to give him a good life."
Layla stood while still holding Cameron's hand. She knelt down in
front of him while cupping his face in both hands.
"I love you so much," she said while her voice broke. "I know you don't understand what's happening but I need you to be brave for me. Robert is going to take care of you now and I promise he'll treat you well."
"I don't want you to go," Cameron cried while throwing his arms around her neck.
"I know baby, I don't want to go either," Layla sobbed while holding him tight. "But sometimes grown ups have to face consequences for
their choices. Just remember that mommy loves you no matter how far apart we are."
She finally released him while Robert moved forward cautiously. He knelt beside Cameron while giving him a gentle smile.
"Hi Cameron," Robert said softly. "I know this is scary but I promise we're going to be okay. I got us a house with a big backyard where we can play and I'll teach you how to build things."
Cameron looked between his mother and this stranger who
claimed to be his father. Finally he nodded slowly while wiping his tears.
"Okay," Cameron whispered.
Robert picked him up while Cameron buried his face in his shoulder. Layla watched them while more tears streamed down her face. I felt complicated emotions watching this because Cameron was innocent while he didn't deserve to have his whole world turned upside down because of his
mother's crimes.
But at the same time I couldn't find
"Hi Cameron," Robert said softly. "I know this is scary but I promise we're going to be okay. I got us a house with a big backyard where we can play and I'll teach you how to build things."
Cameron looked between his mother and this stranger who claimed to be his father. Finally he nodded slowly while wiping his tears.
"Okay," Cameron whispered.
Robert picked him up while Cameron buried his face in his shoulder. Layla watched them while
more tears streamed down her face. I felt complicated emotions watching this because Cameron was innocent while he didn't deserve to have his whole world turned upside down because of his mother's crimes.
But at the same time I couldn't find much sympathy for Layla while she'd brought this on herself. She'd chosen to kidnap my son, to fake my death, to manipulate everyone around her. Now she had to face the consequences while losing her child was part of that price.
"Say goodbye to your mother,"
Robert said gently to Cameron.
"Bye mommy," Cameron said while his voice was small and sad.
"Goodbye baby," Layla whispered. "I love you."
Robert carried Cameron toward the door while the boy looked back at his mother one last time. Then they were gone while Layla collapsed back into her chair sobbing. The guards moved forward to escort her out.
"Wait," Golden's small voice spoke up for the first time. "Why is she crying so much?"
I knelt beside his wheelchair while choosing my words carefully. "Because she has to leave her son behind and that makes her very sad."
"Like how I was sad when those people took me away from you?" Golden asked.
"Yes," I said while my throat got tight. "Exactly like that."
"I'm glad you found me," Golden said while reaching for my hand. "I don't want to be away from you ever again."
"You won't be," I promised while
squeezing his small hand. "I'm never letting you go."
Zeke moved to stand behind us while his hands rested on both our shoulders. Through the bond I felt his love and determination while we were finally a complete family
despite everything that had tried to tear us apart.
The guards led Layla away while she looked back at us one last time. I met her eyes while feeling nothing but cold satisfaction. She'd lost everything while we'd gained what mattered most. Justice had been served in the way that hurt
her
most while taking away the child she loved.
Maybe that made me a bad person but I couldn't bring myself to care while she'd tried to take my child first.
