Chapter 1 - YOUR SON?
Margaret Carter already had Noah by both lower legs when Michael reached the upstairs hallway.
The eight-month-old baby hung upside down for only a few terrifying seconds.
He screamed.
His small arms reached toward the carpet.
Margaret did not release him.
Michael sprinted across the hallway.
“What the hell are you doing?!”
He wrapped both arms around Noah’s torso before pulling the baby safely from Margaret’s grip.
No fall.
No impact.
No injury.
He turned Noah upright immediately and pressed him against his chest.
Noah grabbed Michael’s black shirt and cried into it.
Michael shielded the baby with his whole body.
“You could’ve hurt my son!”
Margaret smirked.
“Your son?”
Michael froze.
Emily stood near the bedroom doorway.
Her face drained of color.
Margaret pointed past Michael.
Straight at her.
“Why did you save him?”
Michael stared at his mother.
“What are you talking about?”
Margaret stepped closer.
“He isn’t your child.”
Everything changed.
Michael looked down at Noah.
Then at Emily.
“Michael…”
He walked toward his wife slowly, still holding the baby securely.
“What did she just say?”
Emily took one step backward.
Could not meet his eyes.
Behind him, Margaret folded her arms.
Satisfied.
Michael looked at Noah again.
Then Emily.
“What the hell is going on?”
Emily looked past him.
At Margaret.
Margaret smiled.
Cold.
Triumphant.
Michael saw that look.
His suspicion sharpened.
Emily finally whispered:
“She knew.”
Michael’s eyes narrowed.
“Knew what?”
Emily touched the bedroom doorframe because her knees felt weak.
Then she said:
“That Noah was conceived before you came back.”
Michael stopped breathing.
May you like
Margaret’s smile widened.
And Emily understood that the secret she had hidden for nearly two years was no longer hers to control.
