My husband and his mother stood shoulder-to-shoulder over the crib, calmly discussing chemical dosage increments as a corrosive solvent ate through our daughter’s fragile skin. I didn't waste time asking why they were torturing her. I drove a heavy brass floor lamp like a spear into my husband's back, launching him into his mother, and ripped my chemically burned baby from the horrific laboratory they had built.

Tears streamed hotly down my face as I stared at the helpless boy.

He looked exactly like the beautiful baby I was told I had lost five years ago.

His given name was Leo.

He was heavily sedated and completely unresponsive to the world around him.

I put the heavy truck in gear and slammed my foot aggressively on the gas pedal.

The massive vehicle roared to life and tore recklessly down the dirt mountain road.

I had no idea where I was going but I knew I had to get far away from my father.

I frantically checked the vehicle navigation system mounted on the dashboard.

The last inputted destination was a highly private estate located fifty miles north.

It was an exclusive property registered directly to my mother-in-law.

I gripped the steering wheel so tightly that my knuckles turned completely white.

I was entirely done running like a terrified victim.

I was going to burn their entire twisted empire straight to the ground.

I drove for a tense hour through the desolate winding mountain passes.

Lily finally fell asleep peacefully against my chest.

Leo remained perfectly still in the dark back seat.

The massive iron gates of the estate appeared menacingly through the heavy fog.

I did not stop or slow down.

I accelerated the armored truck to maximum speed and crashed violently through the reinforced gates.

The brutal impact shattered the windshield and set off screaming sirens across the entire compound.

I unbuckled Lily and grabbed the unconscious boy protectively from the back seat.

I kicked the damaged door open and stepped fiercely onto the manicured lawn.

Dozens of heavily armed guards swarmed rapidly out of the main mansion.

But they all instantly lowered their weapons in unison.

My mother-in-law walked slowly out onto the grand balcony holding a small silver remote.

When my newborn 'passed away,' my mother-in-law leaned in and said

My Husband Left Me Alone in My Car While I Was in Labor

“You’re Dead When We Get Home,” He Snapped

She pressed a single button.

A heavy steel collar locked tightly around Leo's neck began to beep rapidly.

Chapter 6 - Into the Woods