My father-in-law's roar: "You ungrateful son! Just because I opposed you marrying that woman, you went to such lengths? You *orchestrated* Hailey's kidnapping to force her to bear your children?"
The crack of a leather whip split the air.
"And now you've lost your mind! Handing the Vance family's granddaughter to our enemy to raise? I'll beat the life out of you!"
Through the gap, I saw Adrian curled on the floor, shielding the baby girl in his arms, his jaw set like granite.
"This is Sara's child. Mine and Sara's." His voice was raw but steady. "She followed me for years without a title, without status. I've already treated her unfairly. I will *not* let our daughter grow up without her mother."
"Dad, I married a society heiress into the Vance family. I gave you what you wanted. Don't ask me about Sara again."
Ice flooded my veins.
My heart stopped beating.
Everything clicked into place—the cold, distant Adrian Vance who suddenly changed his temperament. Who suddenly wanted *me*.
It was never love.
It was a setup.
My teeth clenched until my jaw ached. I turned and walked away.
Today, I was going to teach them the true meaning of agony.
——