s a sharp reminder of the earlier incident with the maids. Their brutality had broken something inside her-not just

ong? Or did he hear her cries a

as unbearable, but deep down, a part of her felt a twisted sense of relief. Surely, now Liam

just from the pain but from the fever that was beginning to take hold. She car

for a moment when she spotted him-Liam. He was seated in

lsa's mind raced. Did he hear

irs and bury herself in her misery. But then

shed conversation punctuated by the rustling of papers. Elsa turned to lea

ike this if she finds out," the

missive sound that sent a

e. "The moment she became my wife, everything that belongs to her became mine. Legally. When

n the banister tightened as her mind scrambled to mak

document she signed before the wedding gave me control over all her family's

nicked gasps. Memories from a few weeks ago began to surface-a c

with Liam, the way he had stopped, taken

d. You only have a passion for painting. But your father will need someone to carry on his legacy. That's why I'm merging my company

d as she recalled how he had

ves me the right to handle the company's decisions, and I'll always support you in your painting career.

ut it had felt off. "I'll sign this later,

you don't trust me," he had said, his voice tinged with hurt.

trust, she had signed the document without reading it. She had wanted to p

d had been so warm, so genuine, tha

the stairs, the truth crashed

hispered, her voice trem

ayal threatened to consume her. The man she had trusted

anger, pain, and confusion. As she locked herself in the

ing from her, but she was