The Ex-Wife's Silent Vow

st Side

orknob, the other clutching a manila envelope sta

't opene

t nee

in her hand

from the nursery, pure and oblivio

envelope over an

tter from Calla

nguage. Pol

r Paternity

y of Minor Child: Liam S

of Mr. Damon Ale

y, and she caught the edg

s hap

g to try to

Callahan E

cuments with the cold focus of a man

t across from him

arned. "She's smart. She's protect

"She vanished. And she planne

"With all due respect, sir..

roke t

guardian. And until paternity is c

Then confirm it. And

arrangements unless there's proof of danger or neglect. Ms. Steele doesn

"She lied to me. For three

Later T

adn't

r. Not when she called Elij

the house was quiet and the city lights bli

came, slow

from

m r

dare he act like he was some wronged father, wh

family de

wanted jo

rse..

n the world t

stood, spine straightenin

e same woman

she was rea

e Office of F

nd had made her name going to war

twice, then looked up at A

told me soone

k he'd find us

t's theirs. That family is ri

we

ymore. That helps. You've had sole custody since birth, and

ut

twist narratives. He can bring in ex

ia said firmly. "L

im. "Good. Because we're

rning - Ari

a knock at

erself-but it

urier. Anot

si

ointment - Ordered by

st. Trying to establish rights before Aria c

ng to outma

n't realiz

ady been t

taught her ho

a. "Book me a p

other end of the vi

Aria said coldly, "then I'm going

erprises - D

phone buzzed with a

nager burst th

ed to s

his monit

lazed across

e: 'Why I Had to Protect M

Aria, poised but str

lay on the i

I'd built with him was a lie. I didn't run out of fear. I ran for freedom-for myself and my son. I k

heart

st taken sides-a