I never told my husband’s family that I’m the daughter of the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. When I was seven months pregnant, they forced me to cook the entire Christmas Eve dinner by myself—the traditional family Christmas dinner. My mother-in-law even made me eat standing up in the kitchen, saying it was “good for the baby.”

“This is Robert Bennett, Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court.”

The room went completely silent.

Someone dropped a glass.

Margaret’s face turned white.

And Daniel…

For the first time since I had met him, he looked terrified.

“W-what?” he stammered.

My father’s voice remained calm but cold.

“Why is my daughter crying?”

Daniel swallowed hard.

“I… there was just a misunderstanding.”

My father didn’t respond immediately.

Then he said something that froze everyone in the room.

“I know your law firm.”

Daniel blinked.

“You do?”

“Yes,” my father said. “In fact, I’m meeting one of your senior partners tomorrow.”

Daniel’s face lost all color.

I lay on the floor, barely conscious, clutching my stomach.

Then my father spoke again.

“Emma.”

His voice softened instantly.

“Dad…” I whispered weakly.

“Are you hurt?”

“I’m bleeding,” I said through tears. “I think I’m losing the baby.”

The silence that followed was terrifying.

When my father spoke again, his tone was calm but deadly serious.

“Listen carefully, Mr. Parker.”

Daniel didn’t respond.

“An ambulance will arrive at that house in less than five minutes.”

“That’s not necessary,” Daniel said quickly.

“The police will arrive as well.”

Margaret exploded.