Page 69 of Lethal Weakness

“Me? I’ve never done anything to you but raise your child all alone. No, my child. You shouldn’t even bother claiming any type of fatherhood title.”

That statement makes him redden with anger, and even though he looks sober, I know that I’ve poked the bear.

I shouldn’t be worried about him attacking me when we’re at his parents’, surrounded by security guards, but I know better than that. No matter what he does, I’m the enemy here.

“I am her father, whether you like it or not.”

“Really? How many diapers did you change? How many nights did you stay up with her when she was going through sleep regressions, or sick? How many times have you gotten her dressed or done her hair? How many doctor appointments have you attended? Oh, right… Zero.”

“If you weren’t such a bitch, I’d feel worse about taking her from you.”

My blood runs so cold, goosebumps prickle at my skin. “You are not taking her from me.”

“We’ll see.” He turns to walk away, and I grab his shirt.

“What are you planning?”

“Let go, Linden. Or, I’ll call security to trespass you from the property. I’m sure a judge would love to see that on your record when we take you to court.”

“No,” I gasp.

“Avery will be out soon. I hope you spend as much quality time as you can while it lasts.” He saunters off without a care in the world as I strangle back the sob in my throat.

They can’t take her from me. They can’t.

I can’t breathe… Like I’m watching a clock tick on a bomb, and I’m running out of time… Each number counting down to zero is another second closer to my baby being stolen out of my arms.

I’m still standing in the same spot when she comes running across the pavement towards me, and I hold back tears when she jumps into my arms. “I missed you, Mommy.”

“I missed you, too, honey.” I kiss her head, squeezing my eyes shut to keep myself together.

All three of them are watching me as I buckle her into her car seat, and I flip them off when I round the front to my door.

“I hungry, Mommy.”

“I’ll make you some dinner when we get home.”

“Can Mr. Jack make me dinosaur food?”

I check my forgotten phone on the passenger seat and see zero notifications.

“I don’t think so, sweetheart. He’s busy.”

“Aw, man.”

“How about dinosaur chicken nuggets, instead?”

“Otayy.”

“Did you have fun spending time with your grandparents?”

“We played slime.”

“Yeah? I bet that was fun. What else?”

“Grandma got me dresses.”

“She did? I bet they will be so pretty on you.”