Selena''s heart was pounding in her chest.


    Even though she had pictured this moment before and prepared what to say, the reality left her speechless. The man in front of her, holding a child, seemed calm, but anyone who really knew Everett could tell he was a storm waiting to break loose.


    She was terrified... terrified that if she gave the wrong answer, he might harm little Mateo. Mateo, who was both sensitive and smart for his age, quickly picked up on the tension in the air. His uncle, who was usually so gentle and kind, now felt like a stranger, casting a heavy, oppressive shadow over him.


    Mateo was still just a kid, and he grew anxious, squirming in Everett''s arms while calling out for his mom. Hearing his cries broke Selena''s heart.


    "Please, just put the child down. Don''t scare him," she pleaded, her voice shaking, her face ashen under the harsh lighting.


    Everett didn''t budge, his handsome face darkened by a stormy expression and his gaze as cold as ice, chilling her to the bone. "Selena, think carefully before you answer," he warned.


    A shiver ran down Selena''s spine, and she nearly bit through her lower lip. As each second dragged on, she could see Everett''s patience slipping away, his forearm muscles tensing with anger, veins pulsing visibly.


    Just as she thought she couldn''t stand it any longer, a voice from behind spoke up, answering for her. "Gift is my son!"


    Callum walked in with purpose, his calm demeanor even more grounded than it had been three years ago, nowplemented by a newfound assertiveness. Selena turned, surprised. She hadn''t known Callum hade back... But it made sense. He had always been there for little Mateo, practically raising him since birth, and their bond was unbreakable.


    Callum moved to Selena''s side, standing shoulder to shoulder with her, and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. Selena caught on to his intentions and didn''t resist, ying along with him.


    This gesture made Everett''s eyes narrow dangerously, a clear warning in his posture. But Callum wasn''t intimidated. He met Everett''s gaze with a calm smile and added, "He''s mine and Selena''s son!"


    Everett''s eyes shed with rage,


    ignoring Callum as he continued to focus intensely on Selena as if trying to pieree right through to her soul. "I want to hear it from you!" he demanded.


    Selena''s hands clenched tightly at her sides too scared to meet


    Everett''s gaze. Her longshes cast shadows over her eyes as she


    whispered softly, "Haven''t you heard


    it already?"


    en


    Little Mateo was her son, always had been, ever since Everett chose Margot over them. Mateo was hers alone now.


    "Alright, alright..." Everett''sugh wasced with fury, his eyes burning with a frightening intensity.


    The night shift officers, who had been quietly watching, suddenly snapped into action. Was something violent about to happen right in front of them? Emotions could make people do unpredictable things!


    They braced themselves, one grabbing a baton, another a fork, and someone else raising a shield.


    But Callum stayed calm, seeing little Mateo trembling with fear. He approached Everett, extending his hand. "Give me my son!" Callum also gave Mateo a subtle wink. Despite his fear, Mateo understood immediately and called out, "Daddy..." Callum smiled, "That''s my boy."


    They had a secret n: if things ever got this tense, Mateo would call him "daddy" to defuse the situation.


    Those two words cut through Everett like a knife, stabbing straight into his heart and leaving a deep, painful wound.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!