A Hurt So Sweet Volume Four (Elite of Eden Falls Prep 4)

at me, her gaze ice cold. "You don't know that."

"I know that-"

"It doesn't matter," she snaps. "The only thing that's for certain is that it's my baby. And I want him back. I'll never forgive you if you don't find him."

I nod, trying to control my temper and emotions so I don't lose it in front of Pandora.

"What did you name him?"

The question slips from my lips before I can stop myself. Once again, Pandora's eyes burn when they meet mine.

"Reign," she finally answers, her voice breaking over the simple word.

I nod, getting up abruptly from my seat and walking out of the room. I can't let Pandora see me vulnerable. I have to be strong, like I've always been. I have to be the man she needs me to be.

And I fucking have to find Lily Anna and my son.

Because whatever the fuck Pandora says, he is my son.

13

Pandora

I can't even look at Dexter.

He's been acting differently. Apologetic, almost. He brought me back to Booth Manor a week after I first arrived in the hospital, but it's almost worse in this huge, empty house than it had been in my private room. Even with the stench of medicine and antiseptic, it was better than this. Knowing all the secrets I know now, I can't get the thought of Alli—Lily Anna—out of my head.

The thought that she still has my son makes me sick. I've seen firsthand what the girl is capable of, and I know enough to be sure my son isn't safe in her hands.

But there's nothing we can do. Father is already spending a fortune on PIs to look for them, but it's like they disappeared without a trace. Weeks have passed. Pandora has healed from her surgery, but the fact that we don’t have our son back is weighing on her heavily.

On good days, I think Reign will get the care he needs. That Lily Anna wouldn't be so heartless to hurt an innocent baby.

On the bad days, I remember her manic laughter, her cruel words, and I wonder whether she's killed him yet.

My Reign is nothing but a pawn to that woman. And I know sooner or later she'll use him to her advantage. If we're lucky, that's when we're going to catch her.

"I brought you some tea."

I don't even look away from the window as Dex sets a steaming cup on a marble coaster on the nightstand. I don't answer him, but I still feel his lingering presence. He's waiting for something, eager for some words of encouragement, perhaps for me to tell him things aren't quite so bad. That we'll make it through this. But will we?

"Take a sip of tea," Dex goes on. "It's chamomile. Good for anxiety."

"Fuck that," I mutter.

"Pandora." His tone is stricter now. "It'll help."

"Help? You think it will help?" I snarl at him, throwing the duvet covers back. My maternity belly is gone now, but it only hurts more to see that, knowing I never got the gift of motherhood, not without my son.

"Pandora," Dex speaks in calming, soft tones. "I'm just trying to help."

"And yet you haven't helped at all," I hiss. "The baby's not here, is he? And Lily Anna is not in jail where she belongs."

"We're working on that."

"Not very successfully." I know I'm being snarky, but I can't help it. I'm sick and tired of this hopeless, fruitless search for my son. I'm sick of everything.

"Damn it, Pandora," Dex grunts. "I'm doing my fucking best here, what more do you want?"