Chapter 852
852:
Gorman had backed her into a corner, leaving her neither a way forward nor a way out.
Because of Haven, she couldn’t simply take the children and turn to Collin for help.
Gorman was right—if Collin ever discovered the truth, if Haven so much as whispered a word, he could very well use his power to claim her children.
The man was the founder of the mighty CR Corporation. He held more influence than she could ever hope to fight. Should he choose to move against her, Linsey knew she would be powerless to stop him.
And yet, she couldn’t bring herself to fully trust Gorman, not when it meant placing her and her children’s safety entirely in his hands.
She saw it with painful clarity now—Gorman wasn’t just dangerous. He was deadly.
He would use her children without a second thought, cornering her, forcing her beneath his temporary control, all in service of his own twisted goals.
Gorman met her smoldering glare with a smile—a smile so deceptively tender it made her blood run cold.
“Linsey, you’re scaring Zenia. We should watch our words around the children,” Gorman said softly, keeping his voice as gentle as a whisper. He finished with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, then turned to Zenia. “You’re such a smart girl. I’m sure you understood what I meant, didn’t you?”
Zenia’s face twisted in confusion. It was clear she didn’t understand the meaning behind his words. “Gorman…”
Linsey pulled Zenia tightly into her arms, shielding her like a mother hen. Her voice came sharp and tense. “That’s enough. Stop talking.”
𝗀Ɐ𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀.𝒸𝗈𝗺, 𝓶𝗈𝗋𝑒 𝓬𝒉𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇𝓈 𝗈𝗇
But Gorman only chuckled, cool as ever. “Linsey, if you plan to keep the children away from Collin, you might want to warn them. What if one day, Zenia and Zander choose to leave you for him? What will you do then?”
His words hit Zenia like a bolt from the blue. She clung to Linsey, tears welling up fast. “Zander and I would never leave Mommy! Never!” she cried out, her voice breaking as sobs shook her tiny body.
She looked up at Linsey with desperate eyes. “Mommy, we promise we’ll be good. Don’t send us away, please?”
Linsey’s heart twisted painfully. Her throat felt tight as she knelt, gently wiping Zenia’s tears away. “I would never leave you, sweetheart. No one can ever take you away from me. Don’t be scared.”
“But Gorman said…” Zenia whimpered, still trembling.
Gorman’s face shifted suddenly, softening as he knelt down too. His voice turned smooth, almost sweet. “Zenia, just stay sharp. As long as you stay away from that bad man, he won’t take you and Zander away from your mom.”
Linsey didn’t stay at the hospital much longer. After picking up her medication, she was discharged within hours.
With no real home to go to, she and Caylee returned to the hotel they were using for now.
.
.
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