Under His Protection

Chapter 72: Fractures in the Fabric

Travis knew it was coming, though he had desperately hoped for more time. The tension in the air was as thick as molasses when Patrick stepped into the room with his usual no-nonsense expression. Bronze was playing quietly on the floor with blocks, and Taylor was curled into Travis's lap, her fingers clutching his shirt like it was the only thing tethering her to reality.

Patrick cleared his throat, his gaze heavy. "Trav, we've got a problem."

Travis tensed, his arms tightening around Taylor. "Not now, Pat," he said softly.

"You don't get a choice, man. It's urgent," Patrick replied, his voice quieter but firm.

Taylor immediately lifted her head, her eyes darting between the two men. "No," she whispered, her voice trembling. "No, he's not going. You can't take him away."

"Sunshine," Travis started gently, trying to soothe her.

"No!" Taylor's voice broke as she sat up, clinging to him with all her strength. "You promised you wouldn't leave me! You promised, Travis!"

Patrick stepped back slightly, his hands up as if to placate her. "Taylor, I'm not trying to take him away-"

"Get out!" she shouted, her voice shaking with rage and fear. "You're just like them! Always pulling him away from me!"

Travis ran a hand through her hair, whispering softly in her ear, but Taylor wasn't calming down. Bronze looked up from his blocks, wide-eyed, and crawled over to her, resting a tiny hand on her leg.

"Mama," he said softly.

Taylor pulled him into her arms, but even the comfort of Bronze couldn't ease the storm raging inside her. "They can't take you," she whimpered, her tear-streaked face turning back to Travis. "Please don't let them take you."

Travis's heart broke at the sight of her so utterly devastated. "I don't want to go, Sunshine. But I don't have a choice."

She shook her head violently. "No, you do! You always have a choice! Don't leave me, Travis. Please."

Patrick stood awkwardly by the door, not daring to interrupt. Finally, with a resigned sigh, Travis turned to him. "Give me a few minutes."

Patrick nodded and left the room, closing the door softly behind him.

Travis finally managed to coax Taylor into letting him stand up, though she refused to let go of his hand. When Dr. Caroline arrived later in the day, she was met with an icy glare from Taylor the moment she stepped into the room.

"You," Taylor hissed, her voice dripping with venom.

Dr. Caroline hesitated, glancing at Travis. "Taylor, I'm here to help-"

"You're not here to help!" Taylor snapped. "You're here to take him away from me! You always do!"

"Sunshine," Travis tried to interject, but Taylor wasn't listening.

"I hate you!" she screamed at Dr. Caroline, tears streaming down her face. "You're ruining everything! Just leave us alone!"

Bronze, sensing the tension, crawled into Taylor's lap and wrapped his tiny arms around her. "Mama, it's okay," he said softly.

But Taylor wasn't soothed. She buried her face in Bronze's hair, her shoulders shaking as sobs wracked her body.

Dr. Caroline turned to Travis, her expression both sympathetic and concerned. "This is exactly what I was worried about. Her attachment to you is so strong that any separation feels like a threat to her survival."

"She's not ready for me to leave," Travis said firmly.

"And you're not ready to let her cope without you," Dr. Caroline replied gently.