Chapter 228

No.1

The PA announcement was a lifeline.

Elisa didn't hesitate. She shoved the torn wet wipe into her tote bag, grabbed the leather straps, and stood up violently. She reached down and wrapped her hand tightly around Kayden's small fingers.

"It's time to go inside," Elisa said, her voice tight and breathless.She didn't look at August.

August stood up, his massive frame blocking their path to the main building. He looked down at Elisa.He saw the way her chest was heaving. He saw the pale, sickly color of her skin.

He recognized that look. It wasn't her usual cold hatred.It was pure, unadulterated terror.

No.2

"What are you so afraid of, Elisa?" August asked. His voice was low, probing, and incredibly dangerous.His eyes narrowed, analyzing every micro-expression on her face.

Elisa's heart hammered against her ribs like a

trapped bird. She forced a harsh, mocking sneer onto her lips to cover the panic.

"I'm afraid the stench of your hypocrisy is going to rub off on the child," Elisa spat.

She didn't wait for a reaction. She lowered her shoulder and physically shoved past him, dragging Kayden along the grass toward the brick building.

No.3

August was knocked slightly off balance. He didn't get angry. He stood perfectly still on the lawn, his eyes locked onto the retreating figures.

He watched the way the little girl walked. He watched the rigid, straight line of her spine. He remembered the exact shade of her eyes. The seed of doubt that had been planted in his brain suddenly cracked open, taking rootand growing at a terrifying speed.

Jewel's husband had brown eyes. Jewel had green eyes.Where did the stormy gray come from?

A crazy, impossible thought screamed in his mind.He took a step forward, ready to chase them down,ready to demand a DNA test right there in the hallway.

"August!"

No.4

Allena's shrill voice shattered his focus.

She ran up behind him and grabbed his forearm with both hands, digging her manicured nails into his cashmere sweater. She was panting, her face flushed with irritation.

"August, why were you staring at that child like that?"Allena demanded, her voice a sharp, jealous whine."She's just Jewel's brat. You're not actually falling for her pathetic act, are you? Tate is waiting for us."

August looked down at Allena's hands clutching his arm. A wave of intense, physical revulsion rolled through his stomach. He looked back toward the building, but Elisa and the little girl had already disappeared into the crowd of parents.

"And remember," Allena purred, lowering her voice and leaning her chest against his arm. "If you play the good dad today, I have that suite at The Plaza waiting for us tonight."

No.5

August closed his eyes. The trap of his own making snapped shut around him. If he abandoned Allena now to chase a crazy conspiracy theory, the PR

narrative he had built would collapse. He needed her to maintain the illusion of stability for the Chambers board.

He opened his eyes, his face hardening into a mask of cold stone. He pulled his arm out of her grip."Let's go," he muttered.

Inside the main building, Elisa dragged Kayden through the crowded, noisy hallway. She didn't stop until she found an empty, dark art supply closet near the back exit.

She pulled Kayden inside and shut the door,plunging them into darkness.

No.6

Elisa leaned her back against the door and slid down until she hit the floor. She pulled her knees to her chest,gasping for air. Cold sweat soaked through the back of her shirt.

Kayden reached out in the dark and touched Elisa's knee. "Mommy? Is the bad man going to take me?"

The innocent question broke Elisa's heart. She pulled Kayden into her lap, wrapping her arms around the small body,crushing her in a desperate hug.

"No," Elisa whispered fiercely into Kayden's hair. "I will never let him take you."

But she knew the truth. August was too smart. He had seen the eyes. He had felt the connection.It was only a matter of time before he tore Jewel's life apart to find the birth certificates.

No.7

As long as Elisa was legally married to August, he had the legal right to pry into her life. If he found out Kayden was his, he would use his billions to drag the child into family court and rip her away just to punish Elisa.

She needed the legal shield. She needed the absolute, unbreakable wall of the divorce decree.

She closed her eyes, the terror morphing into a desperate, burning need. Tomorrow morning at 9:00AM. That piece of paper was the only thing standing between her daughter and a monster.