"She has my blood, Jaxon. I have every right to be in her life."
The voice was sharp, commanding, filling the small hospital room like an unwanted storm. I turned slowly, my stomach tightening at the sight of the woman standing by the door. Victoria Hale.
Jaxon's mother.
I had met her once, years ago, and the memory was anything but nice: cold eyes, perfectly styled hair, and the kind of presence that made you feel small even if she hadn't said a word. And now she was standing in Hazel's hospital room as if she had any claim to be here.
Jaxon exhaled, rubbing his temples before he turned to her. "Mom, not now."
"Yes, now," Victoria snapped, stepping forward. She was impeccably dressed, not a single hair out of place, her pearl necklace resting just above the stiff collar of her white
