Chapter 6

All the harassment from Linda and Victor had been like a stone tossed into still water, sending ripples across the surface before everything settled again.

The next week passed without a single disturbance, and I poured all my energy into work and spending time with Annie. Life felt like it was finally back on track.

One afternoon, I was at the firm going over a tough case with Rachel when my phone buzzed on the desk. The screen lit up with Amanda Taylor's name, Annie's preschool teacher.

My stomach dropped. Something felt wrong. I answered, "Hello? Ms. Taylor?"

"Ms. Wynn, you need to get to the school right now." Amanda's voice was shaking. "Annie's grandmother showed up and she's trying to take her. We can't stop her."

The word "grandmother" hit me like a thunderbolt, and every drop of blood in my veins went cold.

"I'm on my way." I grabbed my keys and bolted for the door.

Rachel saw my face and was right behind me. "What happened?"

"Linda went to Annie's school." My voice was shaking.

Rachel's expression shifted instantly. "Get in the car. I'm coming with you."

I tore through every red light on the way there. My mind was blank, except for one single thought.

Annie had to be okay.

A fifteen-minute drive took me five.

The car hadn't even stopped before I jumped out.

A crowd had gathered at the preschool entrance, and I spotted Linda right away.

She was holding Annie in a death grip while Annie screamed and thrashed. She had a lollipop in her other hand and kept trying to shove it into Annie's mouth.

She said, "Be a good girl, sweetie. Stop crying. Grandma's gonna take you for a treat. I'll take you to see Daddy."

Annie was terrified. Her face was bright red, and she was fighting with everything she had. "You're not my grandma! I want Mommy! I want Mommy!"

Blood rushed to my head, and a rage I had never felt before swallowed every rational thought I had.

"Let go of my daughter." I charged forward, shoved Linda aside, and pulled Annie into my arms.

The second Annie was safe against my chest, she burst into sobs. Her little hands locked around my neck, and her whole body was trembling. "Mommy, I'm scared!"

"It's okay, baby. Mommy's here. Mommy's right here." My heart was breaking. I kissed her forehead over and over, trying to calm her down.

My shove sent Linda stumbling backward, and she nearly lost her footing.

She caught herself, but when her eyes landed on me, there wasn't a shred of guilt on her face. If anything, she looked offended, like she had every right to be there.

"What's wrong with wanting to see my own granddaughter?" she snapped. "Aurora, don't think you can run from this. Annie has our blood in her veins. She's a Shaw."

Rachel got there just in time and planted herself right in front of me like a mother lion guarding her cub.

"Ma'am, let me remind you that Annie's birth certificate lists no father. Legally speaking, she has zero connection to your family. What you've done today constitutes harassment and attempted abduction of a minor."

Rachel's voice didn't waver. "The police are already on their way."

The word "police" finally cracked Linda's composure. She hadn't expected us to fight back this hard.

The preschool security guards and teachers moved in and closed ranks around her.

Linda looked down at Annie sobbing and gasping in her arms, then at the crowd gathering around her, all the pointed fingers and the whispers. Panic set in.

I pulled my trembling daughter into my arms and stared at the woman who had ripped my life apart. Every last trace of hesitation, every shred of mercy I had left, burned away to nothing.

I used to think my dignity was the line no one could cross. I thought standing back and watching them fall apart would be revenge enough.

It took this moment for me to finally understand. Annie was my real line. She was the one thing no one got to touch.

I lifted my head and let my gaze cut through the crowd until it settled on Linda's panicked face. My voice came out barely above a whisper, but the cold in it could freeze bone.

"Linda, congratulations." I paused. "You got what you wanted today."

She froze.

"You actually changed my mind," I said.

A flash of triumph lit up her eyes. She thought I had caved. She thought going after my weakness had won her the war.

But what I said next drained every drop of color from her face.

"Before, I was only going to refuse the donation." I held Annie tighter and spoke every word with perfect clarity. "Now, I want him dead."