Gold Behind the Curtain

Clara's face turned stormy after my words hit home.

Always one to doubt, she then questioned everything. She turned to Henry with a dark look.

"Is that true? You knew about my family from the beginning?"

Henry looked like a kicked puppy as he pleaded with her.

"Clara, Jayden's making stuff up. Don't you trust me? I knew it was love at first sight when I met you.

"I did everything for you. Have you forgotten all I've done?"

Clara's suspicion wavered but did not fade away. She sent a quick text to her assistant, asking them to dig into Henry's past at college.

Henry was livid, his face red with rage. He charged at me and landed a punch that felt like a hammer. My son was ripped from my arms when I least expected it.

"Daddy! Daddy! Save me!" My son's cries cut through the chaos. I had to keep him calm, so I called out, "Hang in there, buddy. Mommy and Grandpa are on their way. They'll take care of the bad guys. Don't worry."

His tears slowed to sniffles as I kept talking, but it tore me up inside.

Henry, still fuming, slapped me again and again. A total of five stinging slaps. He tried to get his goons to join in, but Clara stepped in. "That's enough. We've got bigger fish to fry today."

She turned to me and said, "Jayden, get out while you can, or even I can't help you."

All I could think about was getting my son back. "Henry, give him to me. If you hurt him, I swear I won't let it slide!"

Henry, bitter about being called out, clutched my son and spat back, "You're the one who won't get away with this. I'm calling the cops!

"Enjoy your life in a cell, Jayden!" he sneered, dialing with a vengeance.

I secretly hoped he would call. A quick glance at the clock told me my father and Rowena would be there at any minute.

However, Henry was not done. Cradling my sobbing son, he boasted to the onlookers, saying, "I'm the hero who saved Rowena's kid. She'll thank me, for sure. Whoever teaches this guy a lesson gets an introduction to her."

The crowd, eager for a slice of Rowena's world, surged toward me.

My clothes were ripped with force, hands clawed at my hair and face, and I was bombarded with punches and kicks.

I fought back desperately, shielding myself where it mattered most, but I could not escape the pain that engulfed my entire body.

Henry was on the sidelines, egging them on. "Come on, hit him harder! Knock him out!"

The ruckus finally caught the event manager's attention.

He was horrified at the sight of my beating, his legs nearly buckled, and he fell over, yelling, "Stop! Everybody, stop! Do you even know who this is?! Mr. Lawrence, are you okay?"

Trailing him were my father, who had finally shown up, and Rowena, who had hurried over straight from the airport.

Henry, caught up in his own thrill, had missed the whole exchange. He gleefully pointed at me and told my enraged father, "Mr. Lawrence, this guy was pretending to be your son. I've had someone sort him out for you."

He then carefully presented my still sobbing son to Rowena.

"Ms. Smith, your son was nearly snatched by this man, but thank goodness I caught on and saved him."

His eyes sparkled as he awaited the praise he was sure would come, and he humbly said, "Just doing my duty!"