Ana's POV
While the servants were escorting Hughes toward the other villa, he erupted into a full-blown meltdown, screaming that I had to come along.
My head throbbed from his relentless shrieking, and seeing him on the verge of collapsing from his hysterics, I gestured for the servants to set him down.
The moment his feet touched the ground, Hughes stumbled toward me.
Without hesitation, he clung to my leg with both arms.
"Mommy, please don't stay mad at me. I messed up. I swear I'll never say I don't need you again. You're the only mommy I have," Hughes wailed.
Tears streamed down his face, and each word that tumbled from his lips was pure, heartbreaking desperation.
His voice was so tender and innocent—it would be easy to cave in.
If Hughes had spoken these words before I walked away from the Collin family, I would have melted and forgiven him instantly.
Now, though, I simply couldn't bring myself to do it.
