"What?" Ben's expression darkened immediately, his usual icy composure shattered by an undeniable panic. Jamie adored Charlie. If she learned of this, who knew how much more pain she would have to endure? Winnie watched his expression shift, and the cold in her heart deepened. Her voice turned shrill and hysterical. "Ben, I'm your fiancée! You have no real connection to that child, so why are you so worried about Charlie?" Ben's tone dropped into something dark and dangerous, each word grinding out from between clenched teeth. "He's just a child. How could you even think of hurting him?"

Winnie flinched, stepping back at the fire in his eyes. But then she straightened her back, her voice sharp with defiance.

"Innocent? What about me? I'm the one who's truly innocent! I lost my child, I lost you, and I've even lost the ability to be a mother. All because of you and Jamie!"

"Get a grip, Winnie!" Ben stepped forward, reaching for her arm, but she jerked away violently.

"No, I've never been clearer, Ben!" she shouted, her voice trembling with a mix of desperation and bitterness. "Do you think we can ever go back to the way things were?" Her eyes glistened with a sliver of pleading and vulnerability, but Ben remained unmoved.

"Tell me what you've done with Charlie," he demanded coldly. "If you don't give me a reasonable explanation, don't think for a second that I'll let this slide."

Winnie laughed bitterly, realizing how futile all her efforts had been. A flicker of resolution crossed her face as she spoke.

find him. Unless you agree to start

echoed as his fists clenched at his sides, his entire

can use this to control me? You're

lip,

this!"

resolve wavered, and for a moment, she seemed fragile,

really think I'd

my nephew, my blood. Do you think that è

she forced herself to ask the

all this because

after a moment of hesitation, he

Winnie said softly, shaking her head. "I know you better

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