*Lucas*
I push through the door, and the scene hits me like a punch to the gut. There’s Helene, her hair a tangled mess, clothes hanging off her like she’s been living on the streets. She’s got Alex in her arms, and the sight of my son struggling to break free makes my heart race and cold sweat break out. “Helene!” I shout, my voice firm. “Let him go!”
She looks at me, eyes wild, and for a split second, I see the girl I used to know… way back when we first dated… when I loved her… the one with dreams and laughter, not this broken version of herself. “He’s mine, Lucas. You can’t take him from me. They took him, I am taking him back.”
I step forward, my instincts kicking in. I know I have to take control. “No, Helene, you’re not in the right state to care for him. You need help.” I keep
