He Killed Our Son for His Mistress—Now He's Begging Me to Stay

It all happened because my husband's "true love" fainted at the sight of my son's Halloween costume. She claimed the shock made her cough up blood.

In retaliation, Leo Gilbert tossed our five-year-old into the leech pit like garbage.

I had slammed my forehead against the floorboards until the wood splintered and blood blinded me, begging for mercy.

"Leo, he's your own flesh and blood! Punish me however you want, but please—spare him! He'll die in there!"

His boot connected with my ribs, sending me sprawling. His voice cut like ice.

"He brought this on himself. He deliberately terrified Eva, put her in the hospital. He isn't fit to breathe the same air as her, let alone be called my son."

He looked down at me with pure disgust. "Even if he shares my DNA, he is nothing compared to the woman I love."

He turned away, issuing a cold command into his phone.

"Double the leeches. I want him to pay blood for blood."

I collapsed, watching in horror as the dark, writhing mass swallowed my son.

"How would an idiot know pain?" Leo had said, walking away without a backward glance. "I'm teaching him a lesson so he doesn't grow up to be a menace."

My heart hammered until it felt like it stopped altogether.

There was no future to protect. My son was being drained dry.

——

"Mommy... Joey hurts so much... Joey doesn't want to play this game anymore..."

The moment I shoved open the basement door, my son's shrill wails pierced the air.

He was trapped in a rusted iron cage, his small body covered in black, pulsing leeches.

The air in my lungs turned to ice.

In just one hour, my son—once chubby and rosy—had been reduced to a pale, trembling shadow. No color left in his face.

Tears blurred my vision. I forced a trembling smile. "Joey, don't be scared. Mommy's here. Mommy's going to get you out."

I lunged for the cage, but before my fingers touched metal, a heavy blow struck my shoulder.

I hit the concrete hard.

A thug with bleached straw-yellow hair stood over me, chewing gum with a smirk.

"Mrs. Henson, don't interrupt. This is a punishment game Mr. Gilbert designed for Young Master Joseph. Timer isn't up yet."

His gaze crawled over me, oily and repulsive.

"However... Mr. Gilbert thinks you're dirty, but I'm not picky. Strip and service me right now, maybe I'll let the kid suffer a little less."

I forced myself up, clutching my shoulder. "I'll give you five million. Please. Spare my child."

He laughed, spitting his gum on the floor. "Money isn't the issue. Kneel and bark like a dog. Loud enough, and I might consider it."

Inside the cage, Joey's breathing grew shallow. His eyes fluttered shut.

My legs gave out. I collapsed onto the cold concrete, discarding every shred of dignity. I crawled toward his boots.

"Woof!"

"Louder! Can't hear you!" he sneered.

I bit my tongue until I tasted copper, lowering my head in complete humiliation.

"Woof! Woof! Woof!"

Hearing his satisfied cackle, I let out a shaky breath. If this bought Joey even a second of relief, I would bark until my throat bled.

Just then, his phone rang.

His posture changed instantly. He straightened, answering with a flattering tone.

"Miss Fox! Don't worry. We're following orders strictly. The boy won't leave this basement alive."

Eva Fox.

A primal roar tore from my throat.

I lunged forward, snatched the phone, and screamed into the receiver.

"Eva! Joey is innocent! I took ninety-nine needles to keep him alive during my pregnancy! I bled for him! If you want revenge, take me! Spare my son!"

Before she could answer, a deep, furious voice thundered through.

"Beth Henson, are you done?"

Leo.

The thug snatched the phone back, putting it on speaker. Leo's voice filled the damp basement.

"Joey put Eva in the hospital, vomiting blood," Leo said, his tone devoid of humanity. "She's gracious enough not to press charges. Instead, she sent him on a little 'vacation' to reflect. You should be thanking her, not screaming like a shrew."

"Leo, look at what you're doing!" I sobbed. "Joey is covered in leeches! He's dying! He can't hold on!"

A pause. Then a soft, weak voice came through, terrifyingly fragile.

"Beth... I know you hate me," Eva sobbed gently. "But please... don't slander me. I only wanted him to learn..."