His Wicked Obsession (Archer and Virginia) novel Chapter 363

Bayview Manor, a little past three in the afternoon.

The sharp crash of shattering porcelain echoed through the living room.

Gripping a heavy wooden rod, Chloe looked utterly unhinged as she swung it toward Toby, who was cowering in the corner. "You little bastard! You're a curse! If it weren't for you, why would Archer be ignoring me?!"

Toby curled into a tight ball, shielding his head, too terrified to even cry out loud.

But the familiar sting of pain never came.

Liam had lunged forward, taking the brutal strike across his own back. He swiftly snatched the rod from her hand, throwing it aside, and lowered his voice to soothe her. "Chloe, Toby is just a kid. If you're upset, take it out on me..."

Panting heavily, Chloe imagined the look on Archer's face if he saw new welts on Toby's skin. Shooting the little boy a venomous glare, she spun around and stormed upstairs.

The living room fell dead silent.

Liam crouched down and pulled a beautifully packaged Transformer toy from his slacks pocket.

He pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes, and softened his tone.

"Toby, Mommy didn't mean it. She's just not feeling well, that's why she lashed out. Don't blame her. Uncle Liam bought this for you. Take it and go play."

Toby's dark eyes were wide with terror as his tiny body shrank as far into the corner as possible.

"I don't want it. You... you're a bad man..." the little boy whimpered, his voice trembling.

Liam's hand froze in midair. It felt as if an invisible fist had clamped around his heart, squeezing until he couldn't breathe.

This was his biological son, treating him like a monster.

Just then, footsteps sounded from the stairs. Chloe walked down, wearing a long white slip dress.

Liam quickly shoved the toy back into his pocket, standing up to resume his usual nonchalant demeanor.

"Archer! You have to go up there and see Chloe! She's threatening to jump, and no one can stop her!"

Archer's face was unreadable as he strode into the building.

The roof had no guardrails. Chloe stood barefoot right on the edge, the hot wind whipping her white dress around her, making her look as though she could be blown off at any second.

He stopped at a safe distance, his brow heavily furrowed.

"Chloe, step away," he ordered, his deep voice carrying his perpetual, commanding calm.

Chloe turned to him. Her face was streaked with tears, looking overwhelmingly fragile beneath the blazing sun.

"Archer, you finally came..." Crying, she took a half-step backward, her heels practically hovering over thin air. "I can't live anymore... Mom has grown so cold to me."

"And you don't want me either! None of you want me!"