A child's voice broke through my thoughts. Charlie was staring at the box in my arms, and suddenly his hand shot out to grab it.
"I want that box!"
"Don't touch it!"
I slapped his hand away hard and pulled the box tight against my body.
The sharp crack echoed through the corridor. Charlie froze for a split second before bursting into wails.
A flicker of shock crossed James's face, but he immediately hardened his expression. "What do you think you're doing?"
"He's just a child! Why are you taking it out on him?"
I clutched the box to my chest, glaring at James with every ounce of hatred I possessed. "James Stevens, I hate you. I hate you!"
Each word dripped venom. The taste of blood filled my mouth. He seemed stunned that I—always so compliant—would say such things. His brow furrowed. "Linda, you're being completely unreasonable."
Without another word, he pulled something from his pocket. "I'll trade you this for that broken box. Happy now?"
It was an exquisite longevity lock pendant.
I'd once mentioned wanting to buy one for our baby. He'd dismissed it, told me to focus on the pregnancy and stop overthinking.
"Isn't this what you wanted to give the child? Take it—"