“Will you be okay without me inside?” I asked, smoothing the collar of his jacket.
“Yeah. See you in a bit, Mom.” He nodded confidently and kissed my cheek before heading into the consultation room.
The moment the door shut, a quiet ache pulsed in my chest. I knew it was routine—nothing to panic over. But lately, my fears have grown less about medicine and more about lawyers. Zach’s petition for full custody had arrived like a bombshell wrapped in civility. Every word in that document chipped away at the life I had fought to keep whole.
The thought of losing Liam… of handing him over to someone who had ripped our family apart? It made my blood run cold.
I turned to pace the hallway, trying to settle my nerves—when I saw her.
Celine.
She was striding toward me like she owned the damn place. That same flawless face, hair swept back into a sleek low bun, makeup pristine. A designer coat hugged her frame, and in her arms, an expensive purse I bet Zach bought for her. She smiled like this was brunch, not a confrontation.
“Hello, former Mrs. Hatton,” she jeered, giving me a once-over glance.
I stopped mid-step. “What are you doing here?”