When There Is Nothing Left But Love

“Scarlett, let’s look for a place to hide!” Emery cried as she frantically pulled my arm and ran back from where we came. I felt like a stiff mannequin being dragged along for the ride.

The paparazzi were not professionals in their field for nothing; in the blink of an eye, they were in full pursuit and soon ran us down and separated us.

Emery felt overwhelmed and could have barely taken care of herself, much less of me. She kept running and soon led the paparazzi off.

They came and went like a hurricane. Their target identified, the paparazzi pursued with full force. In other words, Emery had “sacrificed” herself.

I was just about to head out and hail a cab when a casual glance around stopped me in my tracks in surprise. Gregory was at the entrance staring at me. His charming features were alight with delighted mischief.

“Mommy, I ran into you again!”

Was this how rich families cared for their six-year-old children?

He was the heir apparent of the Fuller family. By standing still unsupervised, he became an easy target for kidnappers. There wasn’t a bodyguard anywhere near him.

I walked over and knelt down next to him. “Why are you here all alone?”

was precocious enough, it would have been impossible for him to know

I spoke, the wunderkind suddenly pouted. He tugged on my thumb and said in a pitiful voice. “Mommy,

What?

an appointment with a stranger. It wouldn’t do for you to be

him. I tousled his hair in an attempt to comfort him as I picked up my

do it, Mommy,” he said. “Daddy is at work; I am not allowed to call him. I’ll just text the bodyguard and tell him where

of my device right in front of my eyes. It took him

Mr. Campbell will be along to pick me up soon,” Gregory

and took the phone from

the precise location of the mall we were in. The ability to recite phone numbers without hesitation seemed second nature to him; he

would have been able to

ready to leave. “Come on, I’ll take you to

his face than before. “Mommy, you aren’t going to abandon me, are

I was still able to muster a look of cold