Adrian slowly turned to Noah, his eyes fixed on the little boy with a frowning gaze.

“What did you just say?” His cold tone made Noah flinch, but the boy didn't break eye contact.

Rage flared in my son's eyes; I had no idea where it came from.

“You are not my father. You hurt my mommy when she was with you. We won’t go with you.”

I was shocked. How did he know? Who told him?

Adrian clenched his jaw, turning toward me. He grabbed my arms firmly.

“Leave her,” my parents said together, fearing he would hurt me. His guards prevented them from reaching Adrian.

I stared at him, feeling broken. He tightened his grip, making me hiss in pain.

“You were talking about manners; what happened to yours? What about your upbringing? Is this how you teach them to communicate with their father?”

I couldn't remain silent when he questioned my parenting.

“The man who doesn’t know how to talk to his own father expects good manners from his son?”

“So you admit he’s my son.”

I sobbed, desperate to convince him. I wished for help.

“Mommy, don’t cry for this man,” Noah repeated.

Noah’s words only enraged Adrian further. I turned to Noah. “Don’t talk like that, honey. Calm down. Mommy’s fine.”

Adrian pulled me closer, his grip unwavering. “What did you say to him? How much brainwashing did you do?” he gritted.

I took a deep breath. “I didn’t say anything. Please don’t take them away,” I whispered.

I felt shattered. They were my reason for living.

Noah rushed to me, trying to push Adrian away. My parents tried to intervene, but the guards held them back.

Aria, visibly shocked by Adrian’s anger and the pain he was inflicting, seemed startled. As Noah pushed at Adrian with his small hands, he cried, “Let my mommy go, you bad man.”

Adrian lowered his head and glared. “SHUT UP!”

His yell terrified Noah, instantly wiping away his confidence. Tears welled in the boy's eyes. I pushed Adrian away, bending to hug Noah.

“My baby, don’t cry,” I sobbed, holding him. I glanced at Aria, who was also crying. She ran to hug me. I embraced them both, weeping. Why did fate want to separate me from my children?

My parents watched sadly, hopeless. My mother sobbed; my father, usually so strong, looked defeated. He'd always shielded me, but seeing me like this…

Adrian remained unmoved. He roared, “Julian!”

Delta Julian arrived with guards, pulling Noah and Aria away.

“Mommy!” they cried, clinging to my hands.

“No, don’t take them!” I screamed.

Ignoring me, they pulled my children from my grasp, carrying them out of the pack house.

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