He hesitates.
Just for a second.
Then—
"No," he says.
A breath leaves my lips.
And then I break.
"Mommy?"
A small voice cuts through the suffocating air. I turn. Liam stands at the doorway, rubbing his sleepy eyes.
Ethan crouches, his entire demeanor softening. "Hey, buddy," he says, his voice dripping with that fake, poisonous warmth. "How would you like to go to Disneyland?"
Liam’s face lights up. "Disneyland?"
I shake my head, panic crashing over me. "No, Liam! Don’t listen to him!"
But Ethan is already winning.
"Just you and me, bud," he coaxes. "We’ll have so much fun."
Liam hesitates.
Then—
"Okay!" he grins.
My world collapses.
"No!" I scream, lunging for my son, but Ethan yanks me back.
I thrash, kick, claw, but he’s too strong.
"Liam! No! Stay here!"
But my son is already walking to the car, oblivious to the war happening behind him.
I turn to my mother, desperate. "Mom, stop him! Do something!"
My mother grips Ethan’s arm, shaking with fury. "You will not take my grandson!"
Ethan jerks free, his patience snapping. "Stay out of this, old woman!"
My mother gasps, clutching her chest.
Then she stumbles.
Her legs buckle.
And she crashes onto the pavement.