Papa! That Bad Man Hit My Mom!

The whispers started immediately, a low, malicious hum that spread through the ballroom like wildfire. "Is that the same fake bracelet?" "She's trying to cause trouble, isn't she?" "How desperate can one woman be?" One of Bennett's colleagues, a man named Mark, approached, his eyes narrowed. "Bennett, is this woman... a friend of yours?" His tone was condescending, clearly implying I was anything but. Bennett, still pale and frozen, didn't even look at me. His eyes were fixed on the VIP table, then back at Jade, who was now glaring daggers at me. He looked terrified. "No," Bennett finally managed, his voice strained. He took a step away from me, a clear dismissal. "I don't know her. She must be... lost." A triumphant smirk spread across Jade's face. "Lost, or looking for handouts. Get out, Addison. You don't belong here. Take off that ridiculous fake and leave before security escorts you out." Her voice was sharp, cutting through the murmurs. I met her gaze, my eyes calm. "Are you absolutely sure you want me to leave, Jade?" My voice was quiet, but it held an edge that seemed to irritate her further. She expected tears, pleas. She expected me to crumble. Instead, my composure seemed to enrage her. "Don't play coy with me!" she shrieked, her voice rising. "Take off that gaudy piece of junk right now! You're making a mockery of this entire event!" She lunged forward, her hand shooting out, intending to tear the bracelet from my wrist. I reacted instinctively, slapping her hand away. My movement, however, caused me to stumble back. Suddenly, a foot shot out from the crowd. Chloe. Her face was a mask of malicious glee. I lost my balance, falling hard onto the polished marble floor. A gasp rippled through the onlookers. The impact jarred me, the air knocked from my lungs. My head hit the floor with a dull thud. My vision swam. Jade, seeing her chance, pounced. She stomped on my outstretched hand, her heel grinding into my skin, then wrenched at my wrist. The repaired bracelet snapped again, its diamonds scattering once more across the floor, catching the light like cruel, mocking stars. "This is trash!" she spat, her face contorted with fury. "And so are you, Addison! You always were!" A searing pain shot through my arm. My skin tore, a thin line of blood welling up. I stared, numb with shock, at the broken pieces of the bracelet, the individual diamonds scattered like shattered dreams. My mind couldn't quite process the destruction. Not the monetary value, but the deliberate, vicious act. "Someone get this pathetic woman out of here!" Jade screeched, her voice echoing through the stunned silence. "Security! Get her out!" The crowd surged forward, murmuring, some looking horrified, others simply curious. My mind was reeling, the pain in my hand a dull throb. I had to tell them. I had to tell them who I was. "I'm Mrs. Levy!" I gasped, the words catching in my throat, tangled with a metallic taste. Jade' s eyes widened, a flicker of panic. Then she laughed, a high, piercing sound. "She's still at it! Still lying!" Her hand swung again, a sharp crack across my cheek. Then another. "No one would ever believe you, you pathetic little liar!" The world spun. My inner wolf, the one that had only just stirred at the airport, now let out a low, guttural growl deep within my soul. The shock gave way to something cold, something ancient. Enough. They had hurt me. They had hurt us. My children. My husband. The quiet peace of my life. They would pay. Every single one of them. Bennett knelt beside me, his face a ghostly white. His hand reached out, trembling, towards my bleeding lip. I flinched away, recoiling from his touch as if burned. "Addison," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "Have you finally had enough? Are you done making a fool of yourself?" He glanced nervously at Jade, then back at me. "If you beg, I can still help you. I can still make sure you have a roof over your head. Maybe... a small room in my staff quarters." I laughed, a harsh, humorless sound that surprised even myself. "Your staff quarters, Bennett? You really are deluded." My eyes, I knew, were cold. Arctic cold. Before he could respond, a sudden, inexplicable silence fell over the bustling ballroom. It wasn't just quiet; it was an absolute, suffocating hush. Every head turned, every eye fixed on the entrance. Bennett, startled by the abrupt shift, stumbled to his feet, pulling me up with him. "Stand still, Addison," he hissed, his grip bruising my arm. "Don't make another scene. I told you, I ended things with Jade. She's not my wife. So now, you have a second chance with me." He looked at me, his eyes wide, expectant. "Just behave. Like you used to." I stared at him, bewildered. My second chance? With him? He truly hadn't changed. He was still the same self-centered man, offering me crumbs and expecting me to be grateful. The thought was sickening. Then, a collective gasp rippled through the crowd. He entered the room. Damon Levy. He wasn't alone. In his arms, held securely against his broad chest, was our son, Anthony. Damon was a force of nature, a silent storm in expensive tailoring. The crowd parted around him, a river of awestruck faces. He moved with an almost regal grace, his presence dominating the entire room. Anthony, a miniature version of his father with my eyes, squirmed slightly in Damon's arms. He was a lively, curious boy, constantly exploring. "Papa," Anthony said, his voice bright, "can I go down? I want to see the shiny lights!" Behind Damon, two formidable bodyguards, their faces impassive, scanned the room. The atmosphere crackled with a potent mix of awe and fear. Bennett, clutching my arm, seemed to deflate. His eyes, fixed on Damon and Anthony, were wide with a dawning horror. He mumbled something, something about our future, about starting a family. I ignored him. My gaze locked with Damon's. His eyes, usually a piercing silver, softened the moment they found mine. A rare, tender smile touched his lips, a private comfort only for me. Anthony, seeing my face, immediately reached out a tiny hand towards me. Damon, my husband, began to walk towards us. Towards me.