Chapter 886
886:
A sudden ding from his phone echoed through the room.
After a quick glance at his phone, Gorman looked up with a surprisingly gentle tone. “She’s back now. Zenia’s downstairs.” The moment those words registered, Linsey threw back the covers and started to get up.
Before she could take a full step, Gorman’s hand clamped around her wrist. “Wait. Something’s not right with her. You might want to brace yourself.”
His words struck her like ice water. Linsey turned to him, disbelief written across her face. “She’s only four!” Her voice cracked. “How could you even think of hurting her and not feel anything?”
Feigning innocence, Gorman widened his eyes and spoke with mock sincerity. “You’re accusing the wrong person. I haven’t left your side—not once. How would I even have the chance to hurt her?”
“Let go.” Linsey tore herself free, done listening, done reasoning. She stormed out of the room, the hallways unfamiliar and twisting, until she finally found the staircase.
The space was lavish, cold in its elegance. A passing thought drifted through her mind—this must be Gorman’s estate in Grester.
As her feet hurried down the stairs, her eyes caught a glimpse of the living room. From afar, Caylee looked weighed down by both sadness and gravitas.
A sharp squeeze gripped Linsey’s chest as dread took hold. Without thinking, she bolted forward, her voice cracking with urgency. “Zenia!”
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Hearing her name, the little girl stirred in Caylee’s arms and lifted her head, eyes searching.
One look at her daughter’s face made Linsey stop in her tracks, her breath catching mid-step.
Dirt streaked across Zenia’s cheeks, and faint scratches ran along her soft skin. Her dress, once neat, now hung wrinkled and stained with dust.
“Mommy!” Zenia’s voice cracked as soon as her eyes locked onto Linsey, tears rushing to the surface.
That single word carried more weight than a full confession—packed with sorrow, fear, and longing.
Without hesitation, Linsey dropped to her knees, arms open, ready to catch the little body barreling toward her.
The instant Zenia collided with her, she pressed her face into Linsey’s shoulder and broke into sobs, her cries fragile and aching. “Mommy…”
Hearing the voice tightened something in Linsey’s chest, her throat thick with emotion she couldn’t swallow.
Blinking fast, she fought the sting behind her eyes and lowered her head, gently cupping the back of Zenia’s head with her palm. “You’re safe now. Mommy’s got you.”
Linsey could not begin to imagine what Zenia had endured.
It was the first time that she had seen her daughter like this—heartbroken and helpless.
Unsure of what had happened, Linsey turned to Caylee and asked, “What’s going on?”
Caylee’s face reflected quiet sympathy as she regarded Zenia. But when Linsey addressed her directly, she hesitated, dropping her eyes to the floor as if the words caught in her throat.
.
.
.