bChapter /bb34 /b

“As your husband, it’s my duty to teach you how to behave,” Yosef turned slightly, his voice low and cold. “Hudson, call the security teamb. /b

Hudson, who had wisely kept his distance, jumped the moment he heard Yosef’s voice. He shuffled over in tiny steps, cautious. b“/bbMr. /bCampbell, did byou /bsay you want the guards?”

“Do I need to repeat myself?”

Sensing the storm brewing beneath Yosef’s calm exterior, Hudson didn’t dare dy another second. He bolted off to summon the bodyguards, afraid even a split–second’s hesitation would earn him a verbalshing.

“Teach her what a real apology looks like,” Yosefmanded.

Within moments, a group of towering bodyguards surrounded Skr. Calm but alert, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a few silver acupuncture needles.

These were leftovers from when she’d used them to coerce a confession out bof /bJessica. She hadn’t taken them out since, but it looked like they were about toe in handy again.

Just then, Sophie emerged from the restroom and froze. Her boss was surrounded by bodyguards. Her eyes red with anger.

Rolling up her sleeves, she marched over. “Hey! Who the hell are you? What do

you think you’re doing to bour /bMs. Lambert?b” /b

She barely got close before a guard blocked her with a firm grip on her arm.

“Let me go! Do you hear me? Let go!” she shouted, struggling to break free. Her eyesnded on Yosef. “Mr. Campbell, is this how you treat your business partners?b” /b

Held in ce, Sophie could only watch helplessly as the guards reached for Skr. She stomped her foot in frustration.

Skr, calm but focused, positioned the needles just right in her fingers, ready to strike if necessary–until a small figure darted out from behind the bodyguards and hurled himself into the fray.

A tiny foot kicked one guard in the shin. The man barely flinched, and the boy was knocked backward from the recoil. But he didn’t cry. He scrambled up and stood protectively in front of Skr.

“You can’t hurt my mom!” he shouted, his tiny frame trembling but unwavering.

Skr blinked, stunned.

“Daddy, you’re mean!” the little boy turned his rage toward Yosef. “Why would

d you

ilet /i

these uncles hurt Mommy?”

Yosef’s brows pinched tight. “Adam, did youe here by yourself?b” /b

“Yes, I did!” Adam dered proudly, raising his chin. “All by myself!”

A vein throbbed at Yosef’s temple. “Adam! Do you have any idea how dangerous that wasb?/bb” /b

Adam snorted. “I’m not stupid. No one can kidnap me.”

“Why are you even here?” Yosef asked.

“To see Mommy,” he replied, ncing bup /bbat /bSkr. She gave him ba /bwarm smile, her eyes crinkling gently.

Adam turned away quickly, his face flushed red. Mommy bsmiled /bbat /bbhim/b.”

“You were eavesdropping on my phone callst night, weren’t you?” Yosef used, voice sharp.

b1/3 /b

bHe /bremembered the shadow he’d seen beneath the door while arranging a meeting over the phone with Hudson. So it had been this little rascal listening ollibin/bb. /b/li/ol

“I wanted to see Mommy. What’s wrong with that?” Adam snapped.

“She’s not your mother,” Yosef said sternly, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “Be a good boy ande here. Hudson will take you home.”

Adam’s face scrunched up in fury. “She is my mom! You’re the bad guy! I don’t like you anymore!”

This tiny kid, barely taller than a coffee table, was just as stubborn as Skr–and somehow managing to spike Yosef’s blood pressure bwith /bevery word.

Yosef clenched his jaw, remembering his heart condition. He took a deep breath. “Adam, get over here. Now.i” /i

“I’m not going anywhere! You’re all mean! I’m staying with Mommy!” Adam yelled.

Watching the scene unfold, Elianna’s expression twisted. The word “Mommy” slipped from Adam’s lips louder and sweeter with every repetition, stabbing into her like a de.

She had raised this boy–held him, fed him. And now he called someone else “Mom“?

Her fists clenched. She couldn’t afford to lose her position in the Campbell family now. Not yet.

“Adam, I’m your real mommy,” Elianna said gently, brushing back her damp hair to expose her scalded, reddened skin, hoping he would bpity /bher.

But Adam didn’t even flinch. “You’re not! You’re a baddy!”

Elianna swayed on her feet, stunned. Her voice broke with disbelief. “Adam, how could you say that? Who taught you to call your mother a bad woman?”

She turned her tear–filled eyes to Skr. “Skr, I’m grateful you saved Adam that day, I truly am. But how could you teach him this? Hate me all you want–hurt me if you must–but don’t turn my child against me.”

“You’ve never had children, so you don’t understand how much a mother treasures her bond with her child.”

As she spoke, crocodile tears streamed freely down her cheeks.

Skr gave a coldugh. “Maybe ask yourself why he doesn’t feel close to you. Stop ming me for your failures. Honestly, it’s pathetic.”

“I didn’t mean it like that. I’m sorry,” Elianna stammered, trying to retreat.

“You really only know three words, ‘I’m so sorry,” Skr said tly.

Elianna bit down hard on the inside of her cheek, rage bubbling behind her teary gaze. If looks could kill, Skr would’ve been riddled with holes.

Yosef’s gaze flicked between Adam and Skr. ‘Why does Adam keep calling her mommy? And why… why does the kid look so much like her?”

‘But the DNA test had proven Elianna was Adam’s mother. It was right there in ck and white–undeniable.‘ He thought.

Shoving the thought aside, Yosef hardened his voice. “Adamb, /bdon’t make mee over there myselfb./bb” /b

But the boy only tightened his grip around Skr’s leg. “I’m not going. I want to stay with Mommy!”

Skr looked down at the small arms wrapped tightly around her leg, eyes wide.

Adam chose her? She wondered. They’d only bmet /bonce before. And yet he trusted her like this?”

bA /bwarmth stirred in her chest, flooding through her like sunlight after rain.

Yosef clenched his fists. He couldn’t let Skr get too close to his son. Who knew what nonsense she’d fill his bhead /bbwith/bb? /b

90%

He signaled the guards. “Bring the kid here–but don’t hurt him.”

Adam held on tighter. “Mommy, don’t be scared. I’ll protect you! I won’t let them hurt you!”

He pushed away from her leg and charged, his little fists flying like firecrackers. He butted a guard with his head and was instantly knocked backward. Again, he got up.

The guards reached for him, but he darted away like a squirrel.

“Don’t take me back! I hate you, bad Daddy! I want to be with Mommy!” he yelled, his voice breaking.

His tiny chest heaved as he panted for breath, tears streaking down his cheeks.

“Stop,” Yosef barked. “Everyone, stop.”

He stepped forward, “Adam!”