Chapter 2

"You don't understand," I pleaded, my voice raw. "I'm his mother. This is his brother!"

Ashley just rolled her eyes, a smirk playing on her lips. "His mother? That' s a new one. You look a little young to be his mom. And a little desperate."

She grabbed my arm, her nails digging into my skin. The sudden pain was sharp, but it was nothing compared to the terror I felt for Timmy. His breathing was getting shallow.

"Get your hands off me!" I tried to pull away, but her grip was like steel.

"You and this little brat are going to wait," she hissed, her face close to mine. "Maybe after he croaks, you'll learn to stay away from other people's men."

The cruelty in her voice stole my breath. This woman was going to let my son die just because of some insane, jealous fantasy.

Panic clawed at my throat. I fumbled in my purse for my phone, my hands shaking so badly I could barely hold it. I had to call David. He had to be somewhere in this building.

"Calling for backup?" Ashley sneered, watching me struggle.

My fingers finally found the contact. I pressed call, my heart pounding with every ring. It went straight to voicemail. His phone was probably off while he was on shift. The hope that had flared inside me died, leaving a cold, heavy dread.

A sob escaped my lips, a sound of pure despair. "David..."

Ashley' s eyes narrowed. "Oh, so now you're crying his name? How pathetic."

She slapped the phone out of my hand. It clattered across the tiled floor, the screen shattering. My purse fell with it, its contents spilling out.

She kicked at my wallet and keys, then froze. Her eyes were fixed on the small silver charm attached to my keychain. It was a little bird, a sparrow, with intricate wings. David had given it to me for my last birthday.

Ashley' s hand went to her own neck, where an identical silver sparrow hung from a chain.

"Where did you get that?" she demanded, her voice a low growl.

I stared at the matching charm, confused. "My son... David gave it to me."

Her face contorted into a mask of pure fury. She thought it was proof. Proof that I wasn't just some random woman, but a rival who had received the same token of affection.

"You lying bitch," she screamed, her control completely gone.