Chapter 216

Paisley’s coldness choked Dominick. He couldn’t breathe, couldn’t accept another man near her. "Paisley," he whispered, fearing her loss.

"Mom!" Grayson’s wail was a desperate plea. He clung to her hand, sobbing, "Don't leave! I need you!"

"Paisley, stay with Sonny a little while," Dominick urged gently. "He needs his mom."

Lauren, her face a mask of distress, snapped, "Paisley, be fair! All you care about is that daughter of yours!" She glared at Max. "Sonny's your child too!"

Max, uncomfortable, said softly, "Don't worry. I'll check on Rena." He moved past the Vanderbilts, feeling Dominick's hostility burning into his back.

"I am fair!" Paisley insisted. "Sonny's fine. He doesn't need me. My daughter does." She pulled her hand free from Grayson’s grasp.

Grayson screamed, his spoiled temper erupting. "You're mean! You don't love me! You only love Serena!"

Paisley met his gaze calmly. "Tantrums won't work."

Grayson froze. At home, tantrums always worked. But not with his mother. He remembered his grandmother and Marissa indulging him, unlike his mother's unwavering rules. What could he do?

Dominick seized Paisley’s wrist. Childish, he knew, but he couldn't bear the sight of her with another man, their happy family. Paisley was his.

"Dominick, let go," Paisley said, her voice tight with impatience. "I need to see my daughter."

"Your daughter's fine! Sonny's injured!" Lauren exploded. The sight of Grayson’s distress fueled her fury. "You only care about that illegitimate child!"

"Mom!" Reginald and Dominick tried to stop her, but Lauren unleashed her torrent of accusations.

"Mom, what are you saying?" Kayla whispered, appalled. Lauren was destroying any chance of reconciliation.

Lauren’s rage consumed her. "You abandoned your husband and child! You have an illegitimate child and ignore your son!"

"What did you just say?" Paisley’s voice was like ice. "Who are you calling illegitimate?"

Lauren retorted, “If your daughter isn’t illegitimate, then what is she?”

Paisley's slap landed hard.

"Ah! Mom!" Kayla gasped. Reginald stood frozen.

Lauren clutched her face. "You hit me?"

Paisley ignored her, turning to Max. "Leo."

Leo and his men arrived. "Let go of Paisley!" Julian and the Vanderbilts' guards responded, creating a tense standoff.

Dominick and Max locked eyes, hostility crackling between them. Then Maria’s voice cut through the tension. "Paisley! Serena won't wake up!"

Jonathan rushed to Serena’s side, his face grim. "This isn't good."

Paisley shook off Dominick’s hand. He didn’t stop her this time, only shielding her as panic threatened to overwhelm her. "It'll be okay."

Serena lay pale and unconscious. Paisley checked her pulse, then froze. Septicemia.