Inside the estate, silence greeted him. No running, no crying—only emptiness. Then Miranda’s scream pierced the air:
“Useless brats! You exhaust me!”
Grayson’s pace quickened. The doghouse came into view. Harper huddled, hugging sobbing Mason. His trusted partner had betrayed his children, and rage cut through him like ice.
“Miranda!” he roared.
Miranda spun. Tears welled, but Grayson ignored her. He yanked the padlock and pulled the children into his arms. Harper shrank back, clutching Mason.
“Daddy… I didn’t do anything wrong,” Harper whispered.
Grayson’s heart twisted. He carried them inside, seating them on the sofa. Mason curled against Harper, who remained silent, her eyes avoiding her father’s gaze.
That night, Grayson lay awake, haunted by Harper’s words:
“Sleep, Mason. Daddy isn’t going to believe us.”
The thought shattered him. The next day, with Mrs. Allen, the housekeeper, he began collecting proof. Hidden cameras revealed Miranda’s cruelty: yelling at Harper, threatening to lock them in the doghouse, forcing them to eat under duress. Every clip confirmed the children’s suffering.
Grayson confronted Miranda in the grand foyer, evidence in hand.