Chapter 11%
Disguising myself was easier than I thought. A simple brown wig, colored contact lenses, and light makeup turned me into an unrecognizable version of myself. The baggy volunteer uniform at the children’s center helped, too.
I stood near the art station, heart pounding as I watched the small group of kids laughing and painting.
Then, I saw him. Liam, My son.
He was seated at the far end of the table, focused on his painting. His small hands smeared blue paint across the paper, his tiny tongue sticking out in concentration.
I swallowed the lump in my throat. He was bigger now. His chubby baby cheeks had thinned, his features sharper. He looked so much like Ethan, but when he smiled–when his eyes crinkled with joy–I saw me.!!
Taking a deep breath, I walked over and crouched beside him. “That’s a beautiful painting,” I said softly.
Liam glanced at me, his brows furrowing. “Who are you?”
“I’m Sophia,” I lied, offering a gentle smile. “I’m a volunteer. May I sit with you?”
He nodded hesitantly. I took the seat beside him, watching as he added more colors to his painting
“What are you making?” I asked.
“A house,” he said simply.
“Is this where you live?” I pointed at the biggest structure in the painting.
Liam hesitated, then shook his head. “No. This is the house I dream about.”
I felt a sharp pain in my chest. “What’s missing?”
He frowned, then slowly, he took the yellow paint and carefully drew a woman standing near the door.
My throat tightened. “Who’s that?
Liam’s small shoulders shrugged. “I don’t know. Just someone.. warm.”
I bit my lip to stop the tears from falling. “It’s a beautiful house.“2
Liam turned to me, studying my face carefully. His eyes, so similar to mine, dark and intelligent searched for something–something familiar.
“You remind me of someone,” he said quietly.8
I forced a smile. “Do 178
He nodded, then lowered his voice. “But I can’t talk about her.”
I felt my stomach drop. “Why?”
Liam looked around, making sure no one else could hear. Then he whispered, “Mommy Olivia doesn’t like it when I talk about my real mommy”
I gritted my teeth, rage curling inside me like a storm. That witch 3
Before I could say anything else, a sharp voice cut through the air!
“What the hell is going on here?”
I looked up just in time to see Olivia storming toward us, her heels clicking furiously against the floor. Her perfectly styled hair bounced as she marched, her eyes burning with fury.B
Liam stiffened.
“Liarn, come here!” she snapped.
Liam hesitated. “But-
“I said now,” she growled.
Tears welled in his eyes, but he obeyed, stepping away from me. I clenched my fists. I was done hiding.
Reaching up, I pulled off my wig. The brown strands fell to the floor, revealing my long, dark hair, I took off my glasses next, meeting Liam’s wide, astonished eyes.
His lips parted. His small hands clenched at his sides.8
Then, in a voice so pure, so desperate, he whispered, “M–mommy?“}
My breath hitched.
I barely had time to react before Liam moved. He took a hesitant step forward–then another–before breaking into a run, his tiny feet moving as fast as they could I
But before he could reach me, Olivia’s arm shot out, blocking him
“No” she snapped.!!
Liam struggled against her grip. “Mommy! Mommy! His little hands tried to push past her, but Olivia held him tightly, her nails digging into his tiny shoulders.
I took a step forward, my heart breaking, “Liam, baby, it’s me=“%
“Enough!” Olivia screamed. She turned to the maids standing nearby, her voice sharp and demanding. “Take him away!”
The maids hesitated, glancing at each other!
“Now!” Olivia shrieked.
Two maids rushed forward, grabbing Liam by the arms.
“Not Not Let me gol” be sobbed, thrashing in their hold. “I want Mommy! Mommy!”
My entire body shook with fury. “You bitch! Let go of my son
Olivia turned to me, her lips curling into a sickening smirk. “Your son?” she mocked. “Don’t make me laugh.“%
I took a step forward, but security guards rushed in, blocking my path
Olivia tilted her head, eyes glinting with malice. “This scene is perfect, Claire. Absolutely pathetic. You look like a crazy woman desperately clinging to a past that doesn’t exist anymore.”
My fists clenched. “I swear to God, Olivia, you’ll regret this.”!
She only laughed. “You’re nothing but a washed–up, obsessive ex. A stalker who just can’t let go. And now? You’re also an attempted kidnapper”
I went still
Her smirk widened. That’s right,” she purred. “The whole world will know just how sick you are, Claire. You tried to steal another woman’s child. Do you know what that makes you?“!!
Her voice dropped to a whisper. “A criminal
The guards grabbed me before I could launch myself at her.
And as they dragged me away. Liam’s cries echoed in my ears. “Mommy! Mommy!“);
Tears ran down my face as Olivia stood tall, victorious.
But she had no idea,
This wasn’t over.X
****
That evening, my name was everywhere.
“Sophia Lancaster Exposed: Actress Caught Stalking Ethan Caldwell’s Son.“%
“Former Mistress Turned Kidnapper?”
*Olivia Bennett Speaks Out: 1 Fear for My Family’s Safety.”
I clenched my fists as I watched the news, my blood boiling at Olivia’s fake tears as she played the victim.”
“She ruined me,” I growled.
Lucas, standing beside me, looked murderous. “I’ve had enough of this.”
I turned to him. “What?”
His jaw tightened. “She wants to destroy you? Fine. Let’s destroy her first”
The press conference was held the next moming
Flashes of cameras. Dozens of reporters. The entire industry watching. Lucas sat beside me as I took the microphone, staring at the sea of journalists waiting for me to speak.!!
I took a deep breath
“I never wanted to come forward like this,” I began, my voice calm but firm. “But after yesterday’s incident, I have no choice but to clear the truth, T |
Murmurs filled the room, I met their gazes, unshaken.X
“Yes, I went to see MY SON.” I ignored the gasps. “And yes, I disguised myself–because if I didn’t, I never would have been allowed near him.”
Silence.
“I never kidnapped him. I never stalked him. I simply wanted to see the child that was stolen from me. I AM THE MOTHER OF LIAM CALDWELLY
More whispers. Reporters took furious notes.
I clenched my fists. “I was labeled a crazy stalker. A llar. A woman obsessed with Ethan Caldwell. But what people don’t know is that the real obsession was never mine.” I met the cameras. “It was Olivia’s. She’s obsessed with my child.”
Gasps.
The game had just begun!
