Chapter 7

I was trapped in an endless, haunting nightmare.

Inside it, distorted faces, flashing cameras, and gaping mouths dripping with malice swarmed Easton and me like a tidal wave. They screamed something like, "Illegitimate child," "scheming witch," and "gold-digger!" The harsh insults fused into a deafening roar, drowning us in fear.

Easton's little body shook in my arms as he sobbed, "Mommy, I'm scared."

I reached out, trying to hold him tighter, but he kept slipping away

He was like a feather carried off by a wave of cruelty, drifting further and further from me.

"Easton!" I screamed and jerked awake,…