It takes more than just giving birth, to be a mother.

-Unknown

It had been an week since we came back from our vacation and nothing out of the ordinary happened but it didn't make the husband less paranoid.

Instead, he was worrying himself to death with every move I made. He stayed home more and accompanied me every time I stepped out of the house.

And today morning it got worse, resulting Lydia in tears.

This whole week Tyler had been the one who dropped Lydia to her school and picked her up. He didn't even let her go anywhere but school. Not even her grandparents house.

Ellie, Lydia's friend from school had her birthday party today and Tyler refused to let her out of the house. When I tried to speak, he shouted at me but the next second, he apologised for it.

The whole waiting for something to happen was messing him up and his skittish behaviour was straining the sunny environment in the house.

But I had enough. No one made my daughter cry. Not even her father.

After an hour of scolding, shouting, reasoning and lastly innocent seduction, he finally agreed albeit reluctantly.

Somehow he found out Ellie's fathers phone number and spent exact 10 minutes talking to him. I didn't know what he had said but I was hoping it was anything except threatening. Then he decided he would be the one to drop Lydia and pick her up too. And then the duration of her stay in Ellie's house didn't sit well with the daughter.

Tyler had told her with a stern voice. "Two hours, Lydia. Just two hours then you're coming back home."

At that time, I was standing behind Tyler when she opened her mouth to argue but I waved my hand and gestured her to shut up.

If Lydia had said anything else, Tyler would had surely changed his mind.

When he came back from dropping her off, he started wearing holes on the floor by the way he was prancing. Finally I told him to just work in the study since working always calmed him down

Two hours went by quickly and when Tyler didn't run out of the study, I walked in to find him laying on the couch with eyes closed.

One week and Tyler had hardly slept. In the middle of the night, he would always wake up startled and start checking up securities around the house. I had tried many times to calm him down but he had always replied.

"You both mean the world to me. I wouldn't let anything or anyone take away my world."

For the first time in days, Tyler finally fell asleep on his own, his face stress free, so calm and peaceful that I didn't have the heart to wake him up so I took an impulsive decision to pick Lydia.

Knowing he wouldn't be happy about it, I still walked out of our safe house but Liam was with me. I wasn't stupid to go out without any kind of security plus I was sure nothing would happen, after all we had been home for a week and we all were fine.

Now we were back on our way home. Liam was driving and Lydia narrated everything that had happened at the party. Seeing the big smile on her face and the teddy bear in her lap, I already guessed she had an amazing time. She had a hotdog in her hand which was there because, at the last moment, she got hungry and just picked it up from the table.

The day after we came back from our vacation, Ellie's mother caught up to me while I was waiting for my daughter at school. She had told me about her own daughters birthday and that, Lydia was especially invited as she was the closest friend of Ellie.

Ofcourse, I agreed and said Lydia would be there. But Fiona, Ellie's mother wasn't done. She had informed me that one of the column in a magazine let her know that I was a great baker. I didn't know how the hell that magazine knew about my skill but they did.

And there at the middle of the school ground, Fiona Kenton requested me to bake few biscuits, brownies and cupcakes for her daughters birthday party. She even prepared to paid me for it and I was surprised that without even a bakery shop, I got a order but since, it was Lydia's friends birthday. I declined the payment but agreed to just prepare the sweets anyway.

It felt good when another woman from Kenton household came to take away my goods in the morning. I felt accomplished and proud that maybe somewhere in the future, I could start a small catering business from my home.

Suddenly, the car jerked blanking my thoughts and Liam immediately slowed it down.

I gave him a questioning look and he shrugged. "It's probably a tire. I'm just going to check it." Then he stepped out of the car.

My eyes assessed the place we stopped. The road was empty except for few cars parked on the sideway and occasionally two or three people would walk by.

The front door opened and Liam entered. "Something nicked the tire but we can reach home before it flattens completely."

Though before he could start the car, Lydia straightened in her seat to point something out her side of the window with a horrified face.

"Mommy, look!"

I looked out the window to a closed down park just across from the car. It was deserted except for the dog who was seated five feet away from the entrance.

"Mommy, he's stuck. We need to help him." Lydia stuck out her bottom lip and glanced at me helplessly.

I looked at the park once again and realised the dog was indeed stuck, in some kind bush.

I sighed and stared up at the sky. "Honey, it's late. I'm sure he can get out himself."

She widened her eyes and shook her head. "What if he can't?"

There was no point in arguing so I turned to Liam. "Could you please free the animal?"

He nodded and opened the door once again. Lydia and I both watched as he petted the brown dog gently at first before freeing his legs from the clutch of the bush.

"Mommy, he looks hungry." Lydia said, raising the half eaten hotdog she was having.

"Lydia, it's getting dark. We can't get out. Give it to Liam." I instructed.

But a stubborn look came over her face. "No, he got to pet the dog and I didn't. Just once mommy, please."

"Fine." I agreed, sensing her eagerness to just get out of the car. Whole week, she had barely seen anything other than the inside of home, school and car. "But just one touch then you give the food. No more staying, okay?"

She nodded eagerly before opening her side of the door. As she jumped down, I followed.

"Mrs. Sanders, you really shouldn't ha---"

I flaked my hand in the air. "It's alright, Liam. Lydia's just going to take a minute."

He reluctantly nodded and brought the dog forward. Slowly, Lydia stepped forward with the hotdog in one hand and the teddy bear in another.

Since the moment she left her friends house, she didn't let go off the teddy. Damn, little girls and their dolls.

She petted the dog on the head as it ate the hotdog hungrily.

"Are we done, Lydia? Now, come on."

Nodding, she came away from the dog but that animal had another plan. Before anyone could react, it snatched the teddy from Lydia's hands and ran away to the inside of the park.

"No!" She cried out. "Come back! Give me my teddy! Mommy!"

I face palmed myself. Ridiculous. Just ridiculous.

"Ellie's daddy gave one to everyone. Please, I want it back." She continued, glancing at me and Liam then the direction, the dog took off.

Our kind bodyguard turned us toward the car. "Get in the car and lock the doors, please. I'll get it back."

"Thank you, Liam." I smiled and helped Lydia up.

He nodded before jogging to the inside of the line of trees where the dog hid away.

Five minutes went by and I still sat inside the car. Ten minutes and I couldn't stand it anymore. I went out and gestured Lydia to stay put before walking back and forth outside the car.

Where is he?

"Liam! Liam, where are you?" I shouted, looking at the dark line of trees then I remembered I had phone.

Stupid Claire.

But it was no use. I called Liam twice and he didn't answer.

A man walked by me at fast pace and I stood in his way. "Excuse me? Excuse me! Please hel--" I couldn't complete because he already sidestepped me and disappeared from my sight. "Ugh, where are all the kind people?! What kind of neighbourhood is this?!"

I stomped my foot in frustration, circling my head to find anyone in this deserted place. The brick buildings on the opposite of the park were lifeless apart from couple of lights. No sign of anyone or anything.

What kind of place is this?

Liam should had taken the main street instead of taking the short cut through this shady neighbourhood but I was the one insisting him to take it so that we could escape the traffic on the main street.

A loud ringtone cut the silence of the night and I raised my hand before answering the call.

"Hey, bosslady."

"Hey, what is it?" I replied, glancing back at the car then stood at the entrance of the park.

"I was wondering whether you guys are home or not. I wanted to visit."

"Oh no, I'm not home yet."

After a pause, he said in a perplexed tone. "I thought you ladies weren't allowed to get out. Where are you? Is Tyler with you?"

I sighed. "No, he isn't with us. It's just Lydia and me. God, I'm so stupid. I should've just woke him up."

"What? What are you talking about and where are you? Does Tyler know?"

I walked to the side of the wall and squinted my eyes at the metal plate. "We are at a Liberty Park. It's on 39th M---"

My words were cut off as I suddenly felt a harsh push at my back. My phone dropped from my hand and I stumbled inside the park.

Turning around, I noted a silhouette of a man standing at the open gate of the park. "What the hell is this?! Who are you and why d...."

The rest of the words were swallowed by me as the man took a step forward, coming into the light of the street lamp.

"Remember me?" He crooked a smile.

I gasped, recognising him instantly. "Ho--w? Wh--y?" I stuttered then glancing at our car behind him, I mustered up the courage. "Why are you following me?!"

He clicked his tongue and shook his blonde shaggy hairs, walking closer to me. "You ask a lot of questions...Mrs. Sanders, was it?"

He knows me!

I backed away but realised my mistake when my escape route became far away.

"Stay away from me! I will scream!"

Then on a second thought, I did scream but the man jumped on me and I fell hard to the ground.

A groan left my mouth but it was muffled by his hand. I raised my hand and pushed him at the shoulders but he was too strong and heavy. Next I tried to bit him and it worked.

He removed his hand with a hiss but before I could scream once again, I felt a sharp hand on my cheek. The force was enough to jerk my head to the side and momentarily distort me then the pain started.

"You bitch! You bit me!" He snarled, pressing his bitten hand to his chest and another one at my shoulder to keep me still. My legs were going numb with his weight on them but I couldn't make myself to do anything with my free mouth and hands.

I was scared. He just backhanded me. My cheek stung, my lips felt heavy.

"Mommy!"

My breath knocked out of me at the small, frightened voice coming from behind the man. Finally, he moved off me and I saw Lydia standing at the edge of the park.

I sat up quickly and shouted. "No, Lydia! Get back inside. Lock---"

Before she could do anything, the insane man crossed the path and grabbed her arms, kneeling to her level.

"No! Leave her alone. She has nothing to do with this. You want me, right? Let her go!" I frantically cried out and tried to stand on my wobbly legs.

He turned around so that Lydia's back was to me and his face right in my line of sight. He had a crazy look on his face as he grinned. "Oh trust me, this has everything to do with her." Then he started rubbing his palms over my daughters face, hair. "You look just like her. So beautiful."

And the sight made me want to vomit. Finally, having the strength I needed, I looked around me noting the increasing darkness then stood up straight.

"Take your hands off my daughter!"

Once again, his eyes focused on me. Slowly, he straightened up and walked forward with Lydia. Tears streaked my sweet daughters face and my heart crumpled.

"Your daughter?" He gritted out. "She's not your daughter! She'll never be!"

I swallowed nervously as his face twisted into a nasty scowl. Seeing my daughter so scared in a strangers hands unlocked an inner instinct in me. With unknown strength, I threw myself at him and when he stumbled back, I pulled Lydia to me.

She instantly cowered behind my legs and I kept a hold on her head. In seconds, the blonde man righted himself and fisted his hands by his side. "That's it. You really pissed me off now."

I glanced back at the way I last saw Liam and called out urgently. "Liam!"

But there was no response and the man laughed, stalking toward me in full speed. The second I felt his body slammed onto me, I pushed Lydia away from me.

"Mommy!"

I felt his hands close around my neck and I writhed on the grass, trying to scratch his arms when he lifted his head and glared at the trembling little girl. "She's not your mommy! Don't call her that!"

I twisted my head up so that my eyes could meet the teary grey eyes. I could feel a tear of my own slip away. "Lydia, look...at me. Don't...look at him." I choked out. "You see...the trees behind you? Liam..."

She sneaked a look behind her and shook her head violently. "Mommy, I am scared."

Oh god. I need to do something before this psycho kills me.

Turning back to the man above me, I scratched his face. When he was distracted by the pain, I pulled my knee up till it touched my chest then shoot my high heel directly to his chest and growled out in anger. "She is my daughter!"

The moment he was off me, I rolled over and stared hard at Lydia. "Lydia, you are not scared. You are my brave little Ariel! Go to Liam. Find him! Hide, Lydia!"

I saw the shadow over my head and I knew he recovered from my blow. Before I could crawl away, he kicked my side of the stomach before facing Lydia. I breathed hard as pain flooded in me but instantly wrapped my hands around his leg, stopping him from taking another step toward my daughter.

"Get off me, bitch!" He shook his leg and pulled my hair roughly.

"Lydia, now!" I shouted and thank god, she listened to me and sprinted toward the darkness.

"No, Lydia! Come back!" When there was silence from the darkness, he turned his glare on me. "You will pay for it. You will pay for everything!" He told me before lifting his other leg and barrelled his boot to my face.

"Ah!" I cried out, rolling over and clutching my side of the face, tears licking through the corners of my eyes freely.

All the fight left me and I breathed heavily but one last time, I wanted to shout for help.

Someone should be near.

But as if reading my mind, he shook his head and slipped his hand under his jacket. "You try that and I will put a bullet through your head." Then pulled out a gun with a long tip.

I could feel fear tremble through me at the sight of the weapon, pointing at me.

"What do you want from me?" I let out a silent sob.

"I wanted nothing from you!" He spat out, waving his gun at me. "I was going to leave you, you know. I was only here for Lydia but you have pissed me off, bitch!"

"No! Leave my daughter alone!"

He put his boot down on my left foot and pressed hard, ignoring my scream of agony. "Can't you have your own children?! Why do you keep calling her your daughter? She's not yours!" He said harshly then his expression softened and he whispered. "She's mine. My daughter. Mine and Laura's."

My eyes widened and it was as if the last piece fitted into the mysterious puzzle. "Blake. You're Blake." I realised.

"Oh." He cocked his head to the side. "So Tyler told you about me, huh? Did he tell you how he killed my Laura too?"

"That was an accident."

"No! Then you know nothing!" He waved his hand in dismissal and grinned, raking his eyes over my body. "I could see why Tyler made you his wife and I know I could enjoy you a great deal. That would hurt Tyler a lot, huh?"

My body shivered in repulsion as the meaning of his words set in me. I lifted myself on my elbows and tried to crawl backward.

Though he shook his head and sighed. "But alas, I'm too faithful to my Laura. So, I'm just going to kill you then disappear for forever with my daughter."

Then he pointed the gun at my head, placing his finger on the trigger.

I closed my eyes, imagining Tyler and Lydia's face but a scream of pain from Blake reopened my eyes.

I saw him pressing his hand on his thigh, where a dark colour started staining his blue jeans. In seconds, another body slammed onto him, punching the side of his face.

Both men fell on the ground and the gun dropped a feet away from me. Even though I never touched a gun in my life, I immediately tugged it toward me by the tip of it and backed away from the brawling.

Suddenly, I felt a hand take away the gun from me and I let out a frightened squeak.

"It's alright, Mrs. Sanders. You're safe." I turned and found a muscled black man in suit. He gave the gun to another man who I noticed stood beside him with a gun of his own, cautiously watching the fight then pulled me up gently and placed me on a nearby park bench.

My whole body ached but I noticed the dark blond hair instantly.

"Neil!" I called out, fighting the sudden nauseous feeling.

He kicked one last time then moved away from Blake then the other two men who came with my saviour, gripped the bloodied man laying on the ground.

My vision blocked as Neil stood above me, checking my head, face then he cursed. "Shit, Claire. You look like hell."

I pulled his shirt and met his eyes before gesturing to the trees with my head and whispered tiredly. "Lydia..."

He nodded then pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead to which, I winced. "I'll be back."

Then he ran off to find my daughter.

I leaned back on the bench, feeling like hell. I couldn't even look at Blake even though he was being held by two men.

Soon, I heard Neil's voice and I sat up quickly but winced once again.

"There, look mommy's fine." He said as he held a sobbing Lydia in his arms. She raised her head and looked at me when they reached me.

And I opened my arms, caging her tightly to my bosom.

"I--I was ...so s--scar-ed, mommy!" Lydia hiccuped, pressing herself onto me.

Looking up at Neil over her head, I asked anxiously. "Liam?"

"He was hit in the head, not shot but don't worry, he just passed out." Neil informed then looked at the other men. "Bind him tightly and lock him in the trunk. Then one of you pick up Liam." Turning back to us, he separated Lydia from me. "Come on, Cherry. We need to get your mommy home. Work with me here."

Lydia reluctantly pulled away and nodded.

Neil placed one hand under my knees then another behind my back then straightened up with me in his arms. I noted Lydia, holding Neil's pant as he started walking to the entrance of the park.

I leaned my head on his shoulder and mumbled. "I'm so tired, Neil. So...tired."