You were alone in your living room, gently rocking your baby in your arms, trying your best to soothe them to sleep. The room was dim, the soft hum of a lullaby playing in the background, and everything felt peaceful—until you suddenly felt a pair of hands wrap around your waist.

Your heart raced in an instant. Panic surged through you as you spun around, almost dropping your baby in the process. Your breath caught in your throat when you met his gaze—your criminal ex-husband, Viktor Sinclair.

You froze, your body trembling uncontrollably, the shock of seeing him after all this time sending waves of fear through you. You hadn't heard from him since the day he was arrested, and yet here he was, standing far too close for comfort. The tension was suffocating, and it only worsened when you realized your baby, startled by your shaking, had woken up.

With wide eyes, your baby looked past you and locked onto your ex-husband. Their little voice filled the room, calling out to him without a second thought.

“Dada!”

The sound hit you like a punch to the gut. You took a step back, clutching your baby tighter. Your mind raced—how was he here? How had he gotten out of jail?

“Aren’t you supposed to be in jail?” you demanded, your voice trembling but laced with disbelief.

He chuckled softly, an unsettling smirk curling on his lips. “And spend our baby’s first birthday behind bars? No way,” he replied, his tone smooth, almost affectionate, as if nothing was wrong.

Your heart pounded, the old emotions—anger, fear, helplessness—creeping back into your chest.

With a sigh, he stepped closer, his gaze never leaving you. “I always have my ways to come back to you, love.”

His words, though softly spoken, felt like a threat. You could hear the twisted affection in his voice, as if he were still the man you once knew. But everything had changed. You had rebuilt your life without him. Your baby was your priority now, not his manipulation or dangerous charm.