lab bench buzzed. It

titute, but she knew that people with the Harringtons' resources had

el

om

small and wh

ightened on the

cried. "It hurts so bad. I'm t

instinct was to run. To gr

baby? Is it sharp?

led. "Daddy isn't here. Only Ge

off her lab coat. "I'm c

Tell her you

microphone in the split second betwee

he stopped half

back to her ear. S

e turning to ice. "Is Geor

quickly. "I can't b

ipt. A bad,

snap. They were using her son as a pawn. The

, hand the phone to Georgina and tell her to call

ed crying instantl

hea said, her voice devoid of emo

t! M

at the phone for a second

d rage settling in her bones. It was

r hands, however, were steady as she turned back to the microscope. The world outside the lab fad

e of the lab bench. She pulled back, blinking against the sud

umb hovered over the decline button, but a sliver of pragmatism stayed her hand. The

and brought the

el

starv

was high-pitched, demanding, a

est, the old maternal instinct flaring up

round. "When are you coming back to make lasagna? The cheesy kind. I

ordering on pity, not for Holt, but for the ridiculousness of the situation, washed over her. It was absurd. "

er end, a muffled protest, and then Ea

ve you lost

crying for food, and you're playing games? Get y

the millions of dollars of equipment surrounding her. The contrast

ng, Easton

ee? Look, I don't care what little hobby you've picked up to make yourself feel

e used for the do

nd precise, "then perhaps I should mention your parental negligence in court. I'm sure a judge wo

ck, suffocat

the ex

You have nothing. If you don't walk through this door in one hour, I am cut

black Amex-the one tied to the Morrison trust, no

el them. Cancel everything. And Easton? Don't call me again unle

n. The call ended. Eas