Hearing the commotion, Madison rushed over, panic evident in her every step. She grabbed the child from Chloe's arms and began patting the baby's back furiously.
With a venomous glare, she spat, "I knew you were up to no good! Chloe, mark my words—if anything happens to Ava, I will make you regret it!"
Susan was beside herself, pacing like a cat on a hot tin roof, her anxiety growing by the second. She pressed her hand to the baby's forehead and winced at the scalding heat. Without missing a beat, she dropped to her knees before Chloe, her forehead hitting the floor with a solid "thud."
"Mrs. Murphy, I messed up. I shouldn't have gotten involved with Mr. Murphy. I'm begging you, please, spare my child! I'm begging you!" she pleaded, tears streaming down her face.
Chloe gave her an unre
