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“There’s nothing left to be said,” I reply, my jaw tight.
Dameon straightens up, shaking his head slowly. “If you go down this path… you’ll lose her forever.”
I stare at him, refusing to let the words sink in. My fists clench, fingers digging into my palms. “I never had her in the first place.”
Dameon’s eyes soften. “Then don’t make it worse.”
Even now, as I stand on the brink of taking Leo away, I know what this will do to her. She’ll be crushed. And I can’t pretend that doesn’t matter. I know what it feels like to lose someone, to have something precious ripped away. Would I be doing the same to her? But I can’t risk Leo’s future because of her feelings. That’s not the priority here.
Dameon marches to the door, muttering words under his breath that I don’t quite catch. But I don’t need to. His warning was clear.
But he doesn’t really get it. How could he? Cora was never mine to begin with. She was always Jonathon’s. And Leo… Leo is all I have left of him.
I read my email again, my mouse hovering over the Send button. For a moment, I picture Leo—his big grin, his eyes bright when I handed him that milkshake. He deserves everything I can give him, and I’ve already promised I would protect him.
But taking him away from his mother? Would Jon have wanted that?
Jonathon never would’ve let his pride get in the way of doing what was right for his kid. He would’ve walked through fire to protect Leo. But… Jon wouldn’t have wanted this. He wouldn’t want me to rip apart the life Leo’s built with Cora, no matter how flawed it is. He’d fight for his son, yes—but he’d fight for what’s best for both of them. Am I doing that? Or am I just trying to control what I can’t fix?
I rub my temples, the strain of the decision pressing down on me.
Jon’s not here, but I am. I can give Leo the life Jon would have wanted for him. A better home, better opportunities.
I review my email once more and press Send.
Chapter thirty-eight
Cora
Unfit. Unsafe. Prostitute. Debt.ADDICTION.
Those five damning words loop in my head, each one more brutal than the last. I barely make it to the bathroom before I’m on my knees, retching into the toilet. My body heaves, but it’s my heart that’s truly sick. Those words aren’t just accusations. They’re daggers, each one slicing deeper, hitting every vulnerable spot I’ve ever tried to hide.
How could he do this to me?
I cling to the edge of the toilet, gasping, shuddering as the words claw at me, refusing to let go. And the worst part is, I saw it coming. Somewhere deep down, I knew James would try to take Leo from me. But knowing doesn’t soften the blow. It doesn’t take away the sting of those ugly words.
Another heave comes, though there’s nothing left. I slump to the floor, resting my cheek against the cold tiles, trying to steady the dizziness in my head. I’m a puppet whose strings have been severed; limp, lifeless. I thought I was stronger than this, but right now, I don’t feel strong at all. I’m broken. Those words, they’re not just legal jargon—they’re a cruel confirmation of every fear I’ve harbored since the day Leo was born.
You’re a bad mother.
You’ll never be good enough.
The whispers that have haunted me since I became a mother, the ones I’ve tried to bury, are now screaming in my head.
Tears sting my eyes, burning like acid.
I can’t lose him. I can’t lose Leo.
My worst nightmare is becoming a reality. Hot tears spill over, blurring my vision as grief leaves me breathless.
“Darling, James and the social worker are here to pick up Leo.” Dad’s voice cracks the silence. He pokes his head around the door and his face drops when he sees me sprawled on the floor. “Oh, sweetheart.”
I hardly register him kneeling beside me, his hand warm on my back. “It’ll be okay, you’ll see. We’ll fight this. And we’ll win. Leo will be back in our arms in no time.” His tone is full of the conviction that I can’t find in myself. He’s trying so hard to believe it. And for a second, just a second, I almost do too.
I nod. It’s easier that way, easier to pretend. His hand tightens on my shoulder. “You need to pull yourself together. You can’t let Leo see you like this.”
I chew my bottom lip, forcing back the sob rising in my throat. He’s right. I can’t scare Leo. He can’t see how close I am to falling apart. If he has to go, he needs to think that I’m okay with it.