Chapter 25
The day before the engagement, Candace took Jamie to pick out outfits for the ceremony. The store assistant was very enthusiastic, selecting a white suit with gold trim for the little boy that perfectly matched the gold butterfly bow on Candace’s white dress.
She was pleased with how the outfit looked on him and was about to pay when Shawn arrived at the store with his entourage.
Shawn was coughing violently as he held up a small suit. “Jamie, Grandma made you an outfit with her own hands. Want to try it on?”
Jamie looked wary and hid behind Candace. “Mommy, I’m scared.”
Shawn’s smile stiffened, and he deliberately softened his tone. “I’m not a bad person. I’m your dad. We met at the hospital the night before last. Don’t you remember?”
Shawn expertly operated a remote control, making the yellow toy car transform into various shapes as his voice filled with pride. “What do you think, Jamie? Isn’t the car Daddy designed for you really cool?”
Jamie peeked out from behind Candace, his eyes showing a hint of longing. He ran over to Zayne, pulled out his wallet, and handed it to Shawn in his sweet little voice. “Here, money! Buy car!”
“Silly boy, this is a gift for you. There’s no need for money.” Shawn looked heartbroken as he reached out to pat his head.
Jamie looked startled and afraid, backing away several steps. The sight of his little boy retreating from him cut Shawn deeply.
He fought back the tears threatening to spill over and said, “Don’t be afraid, Jamie. I would never hurt you.”
“Shawn, did you know that Jamie cried until midnight the other day because you suddenly showed up?” Candace shielded the child behind her, clearly annoyed.
A
“He’s very timid, and he’s afraid of you. Can’t you just stop disrupting our peaceful life? I’m really sick of this!”
“Shawn, Candace’s sleep had been improving, but lately she’s had bouts of insomnia again because of you. Do you realize that?”
Zayne’s face darkened as he continued, “I’m protecting them now. They don’t need your gestures or compensation. Just stop wasting your effort!”
“You have no right to interfere in our family matter!” Shawn stared him down, refusing to lose.
“Yelena forged the signature on that divorce agreement. It’s not my handwriting. Legally speaking, Candy is still my wife!”
“Ha! Candace’s personal records have all been erased, which means this person no longer exists. How can her marriage still hold?”
Zayne frowned in displeasure and added, “Stop stirring up trouble here and get out!”
“Zayne, there’s no reasoning with a madman. Let’s just go,” Candace said.
The moment she pushed open the door, the crystal chandelier overhead came crashing down, heading straight for Jamie’s face. Candace gasped in shock, turning to shield her son in her arms and bending over.
She felt a figure cover her back with a muffled grunt just as the chandelier shattered with a sharp crash. She looked up in surprise to see that the person protecting her was Shawn.
Blood streamed down his forehead in two dark trails as he swayed unsteadily, his voice hoarse as he said, “I’m fine… Check on Jamie!”
Candace looked down, and her heart raced with panic. She frantically brushed away chandelier fragments from Jamie’s right eye as she tremblingly asked, “Jamie, is your eye okay?”
Jamie cried heartbreakingly, his wails mixing with a woman’s malicious laughter, “Candace, why should your son get to live healthily and happily when my Nathan is gone?
“It’s not fair! I’m going to destroy your son’s eye and make you suffer for the rest of your life!”
“Someone call an ambulance!”
Candace held the inconsolable Jamie as she continued to scream, “Hurry!”
