She pushed the stroller down the stairs… but forgot the camera was watching.

“Vivian, look at me!”

I stood, ignoring the lawyer aiming his gun at me, and stepped forward. Vivian hesitated, wild eyes locked on mine.

“You want justice?” I said. “You wanted your life back. You wanted what was promised. But killing an innocent child… that is not justice. That is madness. And it changes nothing. It only makes you a monster.”

“I am already a monster Vivian hesitated. Her fingers trembled around Ethan’s small body. The sirens grew louder, cutting through the dark.

“I have nothing left!” she screamed, tears streaming down her face. “Your father took everything! You took everything! Even this child—he should never have existed!”

“Then punish me!” I stepped closer, arms outstretched, voice steady. “Take me. Let him go. He is innocent, Vivian. He has done nothing to you.”

Ethan whimpered, reaching tiny hands toward me. My heart was tearing apart. One wrong move… and he could slip.

Vivian looked down at him. For a split second, hatred wavered, replaced by something broken and hollow. That hesitation was all I needed.

I lunged.

We crashed together against the bank. Her grip loosened. I snatched Ethan safe against my chest just as the lawyer grabbed my shoulder and wrenched me backward. Vivian stumbled, losing her balance on the wet stones. She teetered at the edge, one foot already over rushing water.

“VIVIAN!” the lawyer roared, reaching for her.

Too late. She slipped.

For a heartbeat she hung there, eyes wide, looking up at us. No triumph now. No fury. Only fear. Then she fell. The river swallowed her instantly, sweeping her away into the darkness before anyone could move.

The lawyer froze, staring at the empty space. Sirens blared loud enough to shake the trees. Headlights cut through the mist. Police poured down the bank, shouting commands. The lawyer turned to run—straight into officers rushing forward. He went down hard, hands cuffed behind his back before he could draw breath.