Page 155 of Illicit Heir

Maeve gives me a pleading look, but I won't back down. I won't forgive her for what she did, and I won't have her in charge of my child if I can help it.

Caleb's sinister grin grows. He declares, "I'll leave you two, so Maeve can get acquainted with the baby."

"She's not touching him," I insist again.

Caleb crosses his arms. "Is this going to be the day?"

I bite my lip and look away, squeezing my son tighter. He says it all the time, meaning is this going to be the day my son is taken from me and I never see him again.

"I asked ya a question. I expect an answer," he declares.

I sigh and force myself to look at him, which he requires. To appease him, I state, "No, it's fine. Everything's fine."

"Good. I'll see you at the church."

He shuts the door, and I glare at Maeve, snarling, "How dare ya?"

She holds her hands in the air. "Lauren, I'm not here to hurt ya or your son."

She looks behind her to double-check that the door is shut and then steps closer.

I retreat until there's nowhere to go and I'm against the window.

She quietly says, "There are cameras. Give me the baby, and we can talk."

I glance up at the ceiling and realize there's no other choice. I warn, "If ya hurt him—"

"I would never hurt Caleb Jr."

I want to tell her not to call him that, but I know all my words are being monitored.

I kiss my son and begrudgingly hand him to her, feeling like my entire world's about to implode. My voice shakes, and I plead, "Please make sure he's taken care of. Do not let them take him from me." I start to cry.

She grabs the baby, puts him on her hip, then grabs a tissue. She hands it to me and states, "Lauren, don't cry. Your makeup will run."

She's right. Nothing but perfection's acceptable for Caleb. I take the tissue and dab at my tears.

She vows, "I promise ya I'll take great care of him. Everything will be fine. You'll see."

"Everything will be fine?" I sarcastically laugh. "Yea, thanks to ya, everything will be fine."

Hurt and guilt fill her face.

I don't care. Until the day I die, I'll never forgive her for what she did. I'm in this situation because of her. I could be with Annie and Dominick right now, having my baby and me loved and cared for. Instead, I'm here, scared every moment of every day that I'll have my son taken from me, never to see him again. On top of that, I'm dealing with Caleb's abuse.

Maeve says in what should be a reassuring voice but doesn't make me feel it, "Lauren, ya look beautiful. Trust me, everything will be fine."

"Don't tell me to trust ya," I seethe and then turn in the mirror. I wipe a bit of mascara from under my eye to ensure I look presentable, according to Caleb.

There's a knock on the door, and it opens. One of Caleb's men announces, "It's time to go."

I take a deep breath and hold my hands out to Maeve.

"Let me see my son again."

She hands him to me.

I hug and kiss him, willing myself not to break down and praying that he'll be in my arms once today is over. I whisper in his ear, "Be a good boy today, okay?"

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