Chapter 4

The next day, despite the tension, my parents stuck to the original plan and took me to the Bennetts’ house in the suburbs for a family dinner.

The house smelled of roasting meat and gravy.

I was safely tucked in Mom’s arms, but Dad’s eyes scanned the room constantly, sharp as a hawk’s. Whenever his gaze landed on Cole, his expression grew even colder.

Cole was playing the "good boy" perfectly today. He sat quietly in the corner, not even glancing in my direction.

Aunt Laura pulled Mom aside, her words echoing the same tired script.

"He’s just a teenager, Helen. Boys are clumsy."

"If there's really a problem, we can sort it out privately. Don't ruin his life over this."

Once dinner started, I was placed in a portable crib in the living room, positioned exactly where my parents could see me the second they looked up from the dining table.

I lay there, staring at the ceiling, waiting.

I don't know how much time passed, but out of the corner of my eye, I saw Cole slip away from the table.

His footsteps were completely silent as he ducked into the open kitchen.

My heart leaped into my throat.

On the kitchen counter sat a bottle warmer, holding a freshly prepared bottle of baby formula.

Cole stood with his back to the living room, using his body to block the view.

He reached into his pocket, pulled out a small vial, and hovered it over my formula—

Now.

I opened my mouth, ready to scream and alert my parents.

"Cole! What the hell are you doing?!"

Chapter 4

The next day, despite the tension, my parents stuck to the original plan and took me to the Bennetts’ house in the suburbs for a family dinner.

The house smelled of roasting meat and gravy.

I was safely tucked in Mom’s arms, but Dad’s eyes scanned the room constantly, sharp as a hawk’s. Whenever his gaze landed on Cole, his expression grew even colder.

Cole was playing the "good boy" perfectly today. He sat quietly in the corner, not even glancing in my direction.

Aunt Laura pulled Mom aside, her words echoing the same tired script.

"He’s just a teenager, Helen. Boys are clumsy."

"If there's really a problem, we can sort it out privately. Don't ruin his life over this."

Once dinner started, I was placed in a portable crib in the living room, positioned exactly where my parents could see me the second they looked up from the dining table.

I lay there, staring at the ceiling, waiting.

I don't know how much time passed, but out of the corner of my eye, I saw Cole slip away from the table.

His footsteps were completely silent as he ducked into the open kitchen.

My heart leaped into my throat.

On the kitchen counter sat a bottle warmer, holding a freshly prepared bottle of baby formula.

Cole stood with his back to the living room, using his body to block the view.

He reached into his pocket, pulled out a small vial, and hovered it over my formula—

Now.

I opened my mouth, ready to scream and alert my parents.

"Cole! What the hell are you doing?!"