Chapter 1 - THE SUV IN THE DRIVEWAY
Mia heard the engine before she understood what Vanessa was doing.
She stood at the end of the driveway with eight-month-old Noah securely strapped into his stroller.
Vanessa sat behind the wheel of the black SUV.
For one second, their eyes met through the windshield.
Vanessa did not look startled.
She looked decided.
The engine roared.
“MIA!”
Adam’s voice came from somewhere behind her.
The SUV surged forward.
Mia screamed.
“ADAM!”
Adam sprinted across the lawn and shoved the stroller sideways onto the grass.
It rolled several feet and stopped upright.
Noah began crying.
Mia dropped beside him immediately, hands shaking as she checked the straps.
The SUV screamed past the exact spot where they had been standing.
Then the brakes locked.
Adam reached Vanessa before Mia could even stand.
He ripped open the driver’s door and dragged her away from the vehicle.
“What the hell is wrong with you?”
Vanessa fought his grip.
Adam lost control.
He struck her several times before stopping himself.
Mia screamed his name.
“Adam!”
He froze.
Vanessa leaned against the SUV, breathing hard.
Adam’s chest heaved.
“You tried to kill my son.”
Vanessa slowly looked up.
“He was never supposed to stay here.”
Adam’s rage shifted.
“What does that mean?”
Vanessa did not look at him.
She looked past him.
Toward the house.
Mia felt something colder than fear move through her.
Adam stepped closer.
“Answer me.”
Vanessa smiled faintly.
Then she said:
“Go ask your wife if that kid even belongs to you.”
Silence.
Adam turned.
Mia’s face went pale.
Not because Noah wasn’t his.
Because she knew exactly whose secret Vanessa had just weaponized.
Adam saw her reaction.
“Mia?”
She picked Noah up from the stroller and held him against her chest.
“Not out here.”
Adam stared at her.
“What is she talking about?”
Vanessa laughed quietly behind him.
Mia looked at the woman who had just nearly driven into her child.
Then at her husband.
“There is something I never told you.”
May you like
Adam’s expression changed.
And Vanessa’s smile widened.
