Jeffrey didn't even bother looking up.
“Keep him away from Austin. He'll scare him.”
Madeline's suitcase slipped from her hand and crashed onto the floor.
The sound made everyone turn around.
Jeffrey went pale.
“Madeline... you didn't tell us you were coming home.”
Noelle frowned as though she were the one being inconvenienced.
“Showing up unannounced like this is very rude.”
Madeline didn't answer. Her eyes never left Liam.
She took one slow step toward him. “My sweetheart...”
The little boy instantly recoiled, scrambling backward on his hands and knees until he disappeared beneath the coffee table. His empty eyes stared at her in terror, as though she were someone dangerous.