Chapter 16 : Blood In The Water I was learning to breathe again . Three weeks into my new role at Nuveo Digital and I was finally finding a rhythm . The building's twentieth - floor windows offered a skyline I had once only envied from afar . Now , I was part of it . Not a visitor , not someone watching from below - but a woman who belonged . Morning meetings were crisp , cutthroat , and thrilling . I pitched a full brand revamp for a skincare line last Tuesday and the client actually applauded . My manager , Drella , clapped me on the back as if I'd pulled off a miracle . Maybe I had . Every win was a stitch closing an old wound . At 5:42 p.m. , I gathered my laptop and notes , tucking them into my leather tote . The rest of the team had trickled out , most heading for rooftop bars or last - minute Tinder dates . Neil , waiting in the lobby like he had promised , stood out among the marble floors and muted tones . Always effortlessly neat - soft linen shirt , rolled sleeves , that look of a man with options who still chose to show up . " You always look like you belong in a coffee commercial ," I teased as we walked out . He smiled , opening the car door for me . " And you look like you just ran a boardroom . Because you did ." We didn't label these after - work pick - ups , but the familiarity was growing. A shared smile . An inside joke . The occasional dinner detour . Neil never pushed , never assumed . Just showed up . Which , I was quickly learning , said more than grand gestures ever could . I texted Zach to let him know I was heading home . No reply . Odd , but not uncommon . He had Liam today after school . I figured they were just caught up in homework or Zach was pretending to be the Fun Parent by making spaghetti without supervision . But when I stepped through the door , the house was empty . No Liam . No Zach . No note . Panic slipped in fast . I called Zach . Straight to voicemail . I called the school , trying to keep my voice level . The secretary confirmed Liam had been picked up . " His stepmother signed the release sheet . Miss Celine Lovelet ? " My blood turned to ice . I was halfway to hurling my bag across the room when the front door opened . Zach walked in , looking like he had sprinted through traffic . " Where is my son ? " I snapped , preventing the tears brimming in my eyes . He blinked . " I thought he was with you ! " I shoved my phone in his face . " Check your messages . I texted you . You didn't reply . You were supposed to pick him up . " His face paled . " I got held up . I told Celine - wait . " He yanked out his phone , brows furrowed , dialing . It rang once before she answered . He put her on speaker . Loud music poured through the receiver after a while . " Hey , babe ," Celine chirped . Zach's voice was sharp . " Where are you and Liam ? " " Chill , we're just at the mall . He wanted ice cream . Thought I'd treat him a little since Mommy was on a date . " My skin flamed as Zach gave me a hard look . " Celine , " I said , voice cold , " You took my son without telling me . That's kidnapping . " " Relax , " she drawled . " He's with family . Unlike you , I was actually available . " Zach cut in . " Bring him home . Now . " " Fine , " she snapped , and hung up . I stood there , trembling . Zach rubbed a hand through his hair . " I didn't know she would pick him up . I swear , I just told her I might be late . She said she'd be nearby . I never told her to take him . " I turned away . " Doesn't matter . You gave her room to take advantage . Again . " He reached for me . I stepped back . Ten minutes later , the front door opened . Liam came bounding in with a shopping bag and sticky fingers . " Mom ! Look , she bought me that robot I wanted ! " Celine followed , all fake - sweet smiles and smug glances . " You're welcome , " she said , dropping her purse on the entry table . I stared at her . " We are going to have boundaries . You don't take my son without telling me . Ever . " She gasped . " I was helping you . You were out - with Neil . " My eyes narrowed into slits . " You were spying on me ? " " I'm just saying , some of us make sacrifices while others flirt their way through downtown . " " Enough ," Zach snapped . " Celine , go upstairs . " She looked stunned . " Excuse me ? " " Now ," he said sternly . " You crossed a line . " She stormed past me , muttering something under her breath . I dropped to my knees , checking Liam over . He was fine . Oblivious , still buzzing from sugar and attention . 19:42 Tue , Sep JU Chapter 16 : Blood In The Water I was learning to breathe again . Three weeks into my new role at Nuveo Digital and I was finally finding a rhythm . The building's twentieth - floor windows offered a skyline I had once only envied from afar . Now , I was part of it . Not a visitor , not someone watching from below - but a woman who belonged. Morning meetings were crisp , cutthroat , and thrilling . I pitched a full brand revamp for a skincare line last Tuesday and the client actually applauded. My manager , Drella , clapped me on the back as if I'd pulled off a miracle . Maybe I had . Every win was a stitch closing an old wound . At 5:42 p.m. , I gathered my laptop and notes , tucking them into my leather tote . The rest of the team had trickled out , most heading for rooftop bars or last - minute Tinder dates . Neil , waiting in the lobby like he had promised , stood out among the marble floors and muted tones . Always effortlessly neat - soft linen shirt , rolled sleeves , that look of a man with options who still chose to show up . " You always look like you belong in a coffee commercial , " I teased as we walked out . He smiled , opening the car door for me . " And you look like you just ran a boardroom . Because you did . " We didn't label these after - work pick - ups , but the familiarity was growing . A shared smile . An inside joke . The occasional dinner detour . Neil never pushed , never assumed . Just showed up . Which , I was quickly learning , said more than grand gestures ever could . I texted Zach to let him know I was heading home . No reply . Odd , but not uncommon . He had Liam today after school . I figured they were just caught up in homework or Zach was pretending to be the Fun Parent by making spaghetti without supervision . But when I stepped through the door , the house was empty . No Liam . No Zach . No note . Panic slipped in fast . I called Zach . Straight to voicemail . I called the school , trying to keep my voice level . The secretary confirmed Liam had been picked up . " His stepmother signed the release sheet . Miss Celine Lovelet ? " My blood turned to ice . I was halfway to hurling my bag across the room when the front door opened . Zach walked in , looking like he had sprinted through traffic . " Where is my son ? " I snapped , preventing the tears brimming in my eyes . He blinked . " I thought he was with you ! " I shoved my phone in his face . " Check your messages . I texted you . You didn't reply . You were supposed to pick him up . " His face paled . " I got held up . I told Celine - wait . " He yanked out his phone , brows furrowed , dialing . It rang once before she answered . He put her on speaker . Loud music poured through the receiver after a while . " Hey , babe ," Celine chirped . Zach's voice was sharp . " Where are you and Liam ? " " Chill , we're just at the mall . He wanted ice cream . Thought I'd treat him a little since Mommy was on a date . " My skin flamed as Zach gave me a hard look . " Celine , " I said , voice cold , " You took my son without telling me . That's kidnapping . " " Relax , " she drawled . " He's with family . Unlike you , I was actually available . " Zach cut in . " Bring him home . Now . " " Fine ," she snapped , and hung up . I stood there , trembling . Zach rubbed a hand through his hair . " I didn't know she would pick him up . I swear , I just told her I might be late . She said she'd be nearby . I never told her to take him . " I turned away . " Doesn't matter . You gave her room to take advantage . Again . " He reached for me . I stepped back . Ten minutes later , the front door opened . Liam came bounding in with a shopping bag and sticky fingers . " Mom ! Look , she bought me that robot I wanted ! " Celine followed , all fake - sweet smiles and smug glances . " You're welcome , " she said , dropping her purse on the entry table . I stared at her . " We are going to have boundaries . You don't take my son without telling me . Ever . " She gasped . " I was helping you . You were out - with Neil . " My eyes narrowed into slits . " You were spying on me ? " " I'm just saying , some of us make sacrifices while others flirt their way through downtown ." " Enough ," Zach snapped . " Celine , go upstairs ." She looked stunned . " Excuse me? " " Now ," he said sternly . " You crossed a line ." She stormed past me , muttering something under her breath . I dropped to my knees , checking Liam over . He was fine . Oblivious , still buzzing from sugar and attention . Later that night , I sat on the patio alone , wrapped in an old throw blanket , the cold biting at my toes . Neil had texted me to check in . I didn't reply . I needed space , not sweetness . Then , Zach suddenly appeared in the doorway . " She won't be here much longer , " he said . " I'm done protecting her . " " It took you this long ? " I whispered . " I was weak . Familiarity does that to you . But seeing her try to twist Liam against you ... I won't let that happen . " Zach turned to go but I stopped him . " I'll call my lawyer , if she pulls something like that again . 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