Liam stood there in his cartoon bear pajamas, his hair a mess of sleep-tousled curls. He blinked up at the unfamiliar man in the doorway, his small face scrunched in confusion.

“Who’s that?”

Ethan Blackwood froze. His intense gaze snapped from Isabella to the little boy. He studied the child’s face, the dark, serious eyes so much like his own. A deep frown etched itself onto his features.

Isabella’s heart hammered against her ribs. This was the worst possible timing. She quickly stepped back, pulling Liam protectively against her side, shielding him from Ethan’s penetrating stare.

Lucas’s concerned voice filtered through the door. “Isabella? Is everything alright? Do I need to call for help?”

Staying calm was everything. She couldn’t let this spiral out of control.

“Who does this boy belong to?” Ethan’s voice was low, gravelly, and demanding. His eyes remained locked on Liam.

Isabella’s hands clenched into fists at her sides. “He’s my son. Mine and Lucas’s.”

Ethan’s expression turned to ice. Isabella met his glare without flinching, her own gaze steady.

Liam clutched at Isabella’s shirt, his small fingers twisting the fabric. He looked from his mother’s tense face to the intimidating stranger, sensing the thick tension. He gave her sleeve a gentle, worried tug.

Needing to end this, Isabella turned sharply toward the door, her voice firm. “You need to leave, Mr. Blackwood. Now.”

A cold, disbelieving smirk twisted Ethan’s lips. His hand shot out, capturing her wrist in a vice-like grip.

A sharp pain shot up her arm. She instinctively tried to yank herself free. “Let me go!”

His eyes were hard, drilling into her. “You owe me an explanation, Isabella.”

The pressure on her wrist intensified. “There is nothing to explain. Our divorce was final. My life is no longer your concern,” she stated, her voice tight.

Ethan let out a harsh, cold laugh.

Suddenly, he pulled her close, erasing the space between them. His breath was warm against her skin.

Isabella’s pulse raced with pure dread.

“Mommy…”

Liam collapsed. A small, soft thud followed by a faint whimper. All the color drained from Isabella’s face, her features contorted in sheer panic. “Liam!”

Ethan recoiled, his grip on her wrist breaking from the shock.

Isabella dropped to her knees, scooping her son into her arms. Her voice trembled with terror as she repeated his name. “Liam! Liam, baby, talk to me!” He lay limp in her arms, his face deathly pale, his eyes closed.

A wave of dizziness washed over her, her vision spotting. All thoughts of Ethan vanished. Clutching her unconscious child, she flung the apartment door open.

“Isabella!” Lucas, waiting outside, stared in shock at the scene. His eyes widened further at the sight of Ethan standing there.

Seeing Lucas, Isabella’s voice broke. “Lucas, it’s Liam, he just—” Lucas didn’t hesitate. He immediately took the pale boy from her arms. “Let’s go! Now!”

They rushed down the stairs, leaving Ethan standing alone in the doorway.

Outside the hospital examination room, Isabella and Lucas waited in agonizing silence.

“Why is it taking so long…” Isabella whispered, her voice barely audible.

After ten endless minutes, the door finally opened. A doctor in a white coat emerged.