Chapter 3

"Karen, is making a scene all you've learned in seven years?" I let go of her, my voice icy.

"You really should keep your husband on a leash. Don't let him run around like a mad dog, latching onto someone else's family and making the Hill family a laughingstock."

The other parents were all staring, gossiping and pointing at Karen.

Karen always cared about her reputation, so getting humiliated in front of everyone made her face turn dark with rage. But she didn't dare try anything else.

She could only grit her teeth and spit out threats. "Xenia, just you wait! I won't let you off that easily."

I ignored her completely, took Harry's hand, and walked into the kindergarten.

Behind me, Daniel watched my back, his gaze a complex mix of resentment and stubborn determination I couldn't quite identify.

For the next few days, Daniel was like a ghost, haunting me everywhere I went.

Whenever I dropped Harry off at kindergarten, he'd be right there, blocking my way at the gate.

If I went grocery shopping, he'd ambush me in the parking lot.

Even after work, he'd be hanging around outside my building, waiting for me to show up.

He stopped talking about compensation or making excuses. Now, all he did was keep demanding that I let him claim Harry as his son, pressuring me over and over for a chance to be his father.

"Xenia, I know you still resent me, but the kid's done nothing wrong," Daniel said, stopping me that evening, his voice weary and pleading.

"I just want to see him, maybe share a meal. Even if all I get is knowing he's happy, that's enough for me."

I snapped, finally losing my patience, "Daniel, can't you understand plain English?

"Harry's dad isn't you. If you keep pestering us, I really will call the police."

"Call the police?" Daniel laughed sarcastically.

"Xenia, you really think that's going to solve anything? Until I get that paternity test, I'm not giving up," he said.

There was a crazed determination in his eyes, like he wouldn't stop no matter what.

"I've already lost you. I can't stand to lose my son too," Daniel said.

I couldn't believe how absurd it was. No matter what I said, he just wouldn't let it go, insisting Harry was his kid.

I thought he'd just be a nuisance, harassing me with words, but I never imagined he'd actually cross a line like this.

That afternoon, a last-minute meeting at work made me an hour late picking up Harry.

But when I got to the kindergarten, the teacher said Harry had already been picked up by his so-called "dad."

"What did you just say?" I asked, my heart skipping a beat.

"His dad didn't come today, so who took him?" I asked anxiously.

The teacher thought for a moment. "It was a Mr. Hill. He said he was Harry's biological father, showed me an old photo of you two together, and claimed you'd given him permission to pick Harry up. Honestly, he did look a lot like Harry, so I just…"

"Crap!" My mind buzzed, and Daniel's name shot straight to the front of my thoughts.

I couldn't believe Daniel took Harry behind my back.

I grabbed my phone, hands shaking so hard I almost dropped it, and dialed Jacob's number.

I choked out, my voice on the verge of tears, "Jacob, something terrible happened. Daniel took Harry.

"He's probably taking Harry for a paternity test. What should I do?"

Jacob's voice instantly went cold and serious.

"Don't freak out, Xenia. Ask the teacher which way Daniel went. I'm heading over right now. We'll split up and look for him. Keep your phone on, and call me the second you hear anything," he said, steady and reassuring.

After hanging up, I forced myself to keep it together, got the direction from the teacher, and jumped in my car to chase after them.

At the same time, I kept calling Daniel again and again, but he just hung up every single time.

I sent him a text, warning that if he dared hurt Harry, I'd make him pay. But he still didn't respond.

Just when I was about to break down, Jacob was calling.

"Xenia, I found out where they are. Daniel took Harry to the paternity testing center at the city hospital. I'm already downstairs. Get here as fast as you can," Jacob said.

I ran every red light on my way to the hospital. The moment I rushed into the paternity testing center lobby, I spotted Daniel sitting in a chair.

Harry was curled up next to him, his little face full of hurt and confusion, eyes red and puffy. He'd clearly been crying.

"Harry!" I rushed over and scooped my son into my arms.

"Sweetie, are you alright? Were you scared?" I asked, my voice shaking with worry.

As soon as Harry saw me, he broke down in tears. "Mommy, I was so scared. That man dragged me away. I didn't want to come here, and he said he was going to draw my blood..."

It felt like my heart was being stabbed. I looked up at Daniel, my eyes burning with rage.

I let go of Harry, strode straight up to Daniel, and slapped him hard across the face.

"Daniel, are you out of your mind?!" I was shaking with rage.

"Do you even realize what you did is illegal? Harry is my son. You have no right to bring him here. You nearly terrified him!" I shouted.