"Don't go!" Liam grabbed Vanessa's shoulder and turned to look at me, his eyes as cold as ice. Before I could say another word, he raised his hand and slapped me across the face. The sharp "smack" was particularly jarring in the silent corridor, and a burning pain instantly shot through half of my cheek, blood trickling from the corner of my mouth.
“Clara, I’ll say it again, now that I’ve decided to adopt Zeke, he’s my rightful son.” He grabbed my collar, his tone full of threat. “Whether you accept him or not, you have to treat him well! If you dare lay a finger on him again, I won’t let you get away with it!”
I covered my burning cheeks, gazing at him through teary eyes. This man I had loved for ten years had slapped me across the face, all for someone else's child, all for a woman who was a liar. Just as a chill crept into my heart, Leo in my arms suddenly stirred. His previously empty eyes were now filled with rage. He broke free from my embrace, his small body lunging at Zeke, and they wrestled on the ground.
"Don't bully Mommy! You're all bad people!" Leo's voice was childish but stubborn. He waved his little hands, clumsily protecting me. Even though he was no match for Zeke, he held tightly to Zeke's clothes and refused to let go.
Seeing this, Liam's face instantly darkened to a grim color. Without a word, he suddenly raised his foot and kicked Leo hard in the chest. "Get out!" With a furious shout, Leo's small body was kicked away like a rag doll, his head slamming heavily against the corner of a table in the corridor.
"Leo!" I screamed desperately as I rushed over, but it was too late. Blood dripped from the corner of the table, quickly spreading a glaring red across the carpet. Leo's forehead gushed blood instantly, staining his snow-white hair crimson. My hands trembled as I tried to cover the wound, but the warm blood seeped through my fingers, increasing no matter how hard I tried, and I couldn't stop it.
Panic and despair overwhelmed me. I looked up, tears blurring my vision, and pleaded humbly with Liam, "Liam, please... save our Leo! Call a doctor, please!"