For a split second, guilt flickered across his face, then he brushed it off with a laugh, like it was nothing.
Rachel, meanwhile, looked thrilled.
My stomach twisted. I’d seen this mother and son before. How had I not noticed the resemblance until now?
Lily wouldn’t stop crying.
I swallowed down the storm brewing inside me. Right now, my daughter came first.
I turned to the teacher. “Can we use the rest area?”
She nodded, and I carried Lily to a quiet lounge, rocking her gently as she sobbed into my shoulder. It took a long time, but eventually, her little body went limp with exhaustion, her tear-streaked face buried in my chest.
Her swollen eyelids and hiccuping breaths made my heart ache.
I tucked a blanket around her, kissed her forehead, and stepped out into the hallway, pulling out my phone.
The moment the call connected, I didn’t waste time.
“John, Luke, bring my marriage certificate and Samuel’s. I want the divorce papers and his termination letter now, on my desk and at Happy Baby Elementary. Move.”
I was still going over details when,
A scream tore through the hallway.
Lily’s voice.
My heart stopped.
I spun around and ran.
Near the bathroom, Lily was on the ground, sobbing.
And standing over her was Leo, his face twisted with rage.
“This is for calling my dad your dad!” he spat. “I’m gonna beat you up!”
Then, he kicked her.
Lily cried out, curling up, trying to shield herself.
But the boys behind him grabbed her arms, pinning her in place.
“Kids like you deserve it!” one sneered.
“My mom says bastards like you shouldn’t even exist!” another chimed in.
Lily flailed, her tiny hands trying to push them away.
“You’re lying!” she sobbed. “That’s my daddy! Daddy! Mommy! Help me!”
Her desperate cries sent a white-hot rage roaring through my veins.
My vision blurred red.
The moment the boys saw me, their faces went pale.
Then, they ran.
Cowards.
I dropped to my knees and scooped Lily into my arms. Her whole body trembled, her little fingers clutching my shirt.
I yanked out my phone, my hands shaking as I called 911.
“Hang on, baby,” I whispered, pressing frantic kisses to her damp forehead. “Mommy’s here. Mommy’s got you.”
The ambulance arrived within minutes. Parents gathered, whispering, their eyes darting between me and the paramedics.
I didn’t care.
I carried Lily straight to the EMTs, holding her like I’d never let go.
As I passed the play area, my gaze locked on Samuel.
He was laughing with Leo, stacking blocks like nothing had happened.
Rachel sat beside him, dabbing his forehead with a tissue like some doting wife.
Disgust curled in my gut.
The commotion finally caught Samuel’s attention. He looked up, confused.
“What’s going on?” he asked, starting toward me. “What happened to Lily, ”
Rachel grabbed his hand before he could take another step.
“Samuel,” she said sweetly, “you promised to spend the whole day with Leo, remember? He was so excited when I told him last night!”
Samuel hesitated.
For half a second, something flickered in his eyes.
Then, he let Rachel pull him back down.
I turned away and climbed into the ambulance.
Lily was unconscious.
The EMTs worked quickly, checking her vitals.
Then, one of the female paramedics lifted her dress.
She froze.
Her face twisted in horror.
“What kind of monster would do this to a child?” she whispered.
My grip tightened around Lily’s tiny hand.
I already knew exactly who.
And they were going to pay.
