#Chapter 15: Complications

Aria’s POV "Mommy!" Joe’s voice broke through the air like a lifeline, and before I could react, he was in my arms, clutching me tightly. His small body pressed into mine, and I dropped to my knees, hugging him back with all the strength I had left. My breath caught in my throat, the fear of losing him still clinging to me like a shadow. "Joe, baby," I whispered into his curls, feeling the warmth of his skin against my cheek. The rapid thumping of his heart was a sharp reminder of how close I had come to losing him. I barely registered the footsteps behind us until a voice, cold and accusing, sliced through the moment. "Aria, how could you be so careless?" Liam’s tone was biting, and I looked up, my heart sinking at the sight of him standing over us. His eyes were hard, judgmental. "Where’s his father? Where is he?" I swallowed the lump in my throat, my mind reeling. *His father is you!* The words screamed inside my head, threatening to burst out. But I couldn