The Rat In Shadows: His Downfall

ntine

glass with a fork. "To family, and to the hope of many grandchild

le down, perhaps take a step back from that demanding career of yours. You know, we always

, Father, that's unfair. Clementine has been through so much with the IVF. We all know it's been a challenging journey, and it's cert

course, dear. We just want what's best for you both. A

me. I didn't bother to respond. What was there to say? My life, my c

excitedly flipping through the pages. The family gathered around, laughing, reminiscing. I watched

featured Isabella. There she was, at prom, at family

azing adoringly at Isabella. "Braden, you were so smitten! He had a crush

sing him!" Then she looked up at me, a flicker of cold disdain in her eyes, before d

in-laws' living room, with my husband, looking throug

own my neck. I remembered Isabella's whisper in the restroom earlier, as I was wa

of Isabella's face in the photo. He lingered on a candid shot of

spair – it all felt utterly meaningle

wer back. A sharp pain shot through me, and I stumbled, falling hard

ce momentarily stripped of its practiced composure. H

hrieked, her voice shrill. "Apolog

e her! She'll take Braden away! Braden is MY daddy

unded whisper. "Oh, Leo, darling... Braden will ha

my daddy!" Leo wailed, cl

ble stains. He let out a relieved sigh when he saw none. "Clementine, please," he sa

robbing. When did I become the

g myself up. "He did that on p

enough," he said, his voice flat, a hint of s

shoulder, my fingers digging into his small arm.

y from her son. "Don't you dare t

ard, her arm hitting the sharp corner of a side table. A gasp escaped h

nt. Everyone stare

side her, frantically searching for a first aid kit. His face, when he looke

ing with rage. "You're acting like a common shrew! How can you

elt like an anvil, every breath a struggle. I bit back the te

e corner of the room. "I didn't touch her, Braden. I p

t the funniest part is, Braden? I didn't go through with the embryo transfer. I canceled it

ll color. He stared a

s echoing in the sudden, horrified silence o