Novels by Zanny

The defamation lawsuit dominated the next month.Depositions, legal briefs, strategy sessions. Daniel's mother's lawyers were aggressive, painting Mira as a vindictive daughter-in-law spreading lies about a devoted mother.Eleanor's journals became evidence. Private thoughts meant only for Eleanor now read aloud in depositions.“Daniel cried again today because his mother forgot to call on his birthday. How do I explain to an eight-year-old that his parents care more about board meetings than him?"“Daniel asked me today if he was a bad son. If that's why his parents don't visit. I told him no, but I don't think he believed me."“He's twelve now and has stopped asking about them. That's worse somehow. He's accepted their abandonment as normal."*Daniel sat through the depositions expressionless. But Mira saw his hands clench with each entry."We can stop this," she said during a break. "Withdraw the statement, settle out of court.""No. If we withdraw, she wins. And she gets ammunitio

The disruption came in the form of Daniel's mother.Despite the restraining order, she found ways to make contact. Letters delivered to the cabin by process servers. Emails to Daniel's work account. Messages left with the security team.All saying variations of the same thing: *"I deserve to know my grandchild. Don't punish the baby for our problems."*Daniel ignored them. Until the letters started coming to Mira directly.“Dear Mira, I know you think I'm the enemy. But I'm just a grandmother who wants to be part of my grandchild's life. Whatever Daniel has told you about me, there are two sides to every story. Please give me a chance."The letters were persuasive. Warm. Reasonable.Mira hated that they affected her."She's manipulating you," Daniel said when Mira showed him one."I know. But what if there's some truth in what she says?""There isn't. My mother abandoned me. She doesn't get to claim grandmother rights now.""People change. Your father apologized before he died.""And

The medical records leak had consequences beyond invasion of privacy.Daniel's parents—or rather, his mother, since his father was dead—used the information to file for grandparents' rights."She what?" Mira asked when Daniel's lawyer called."Filed a petition for visitation rights to your unborn child. She's arguing that as the child's only living grandparent on the Chen side, she has a legal right to relationship.""The baby isn't even born yet!""I know. It's premature and likely will be dismissed. But it creates another legal battle we have to fight."Mira sank into a chair. "This never ends."Daniel was livid. He called his mother immediately."What the hell are you doing?" His voice was ice.Mira could hear his mother's response through the phone, though not the words."You have no rights to my child," Daniel continued. "You abandoned me. You contested Eleanor's will. You've done nothing but cause problems. Stay away from my family."More response from his mother."I don't care

The pregnancy remained secret for two weeks.Mira saw her doctor privately, Daniel arranging for appointments under a false name to avoid media leaks. Everything seemed fine—healthy heartbeat, normal development, no complications.Then the nausea started.Not gentle morning sickness. Violent, debilitating nausea that made it impossible to hide.Mira spent three days barely leaving the bathroom. Mrs. Kim noticed immediately."You're pregnant," she said, not a question."How did you know?""I've worked in this house for thirty years. I've seen morning sickness before." Mrs. Kim's expression softened. "Does Mr. Chen know?""He knows.""And you're happy about it?""I think so. When I'm not throwing up."Mrs. Kim smiled. "It gets better. Usually around week twelve.""That's another six weeks.""I'll make you ginger tea."The tea helped marginally. What didn't help was trying to maintain normal activities while feeling constantly nauseated.Daniel wanted to cancel all public appearances. Mi

Normal lasted three weeks.Mira should have known it wouldn't last longer.The call came at 6 AM. Daniel's mother, cold as always."We need to meet. Today. It's about Daniel's father.""What about him?""He's dying. Daniel needs to know."The call ended before Mira could respond.She found Daniel in his home office, already awake, already working."Your mother called."He didn't look up. "What did she want?""She says your father is dying. Wants us to meet today."That got his attention. "Did she say what's wrong with him?""No. Just that it's urgent."Daniel was quiet for a long moment. "It's probably a manipulation. Another scheme to contest Eleanor's will or gain access to the company.""Maybe. But what if it's real?""Then he's dying and I still don't care."The words were harsh, but Mira understood. Daniel's parents had abandoned him, challenged his grandmother's legacy, made his life difficult at every turn. Why should their medical emergencies matter?"You should still go," Mir

Isabella arrived at the estate three days later, looking haunted."I've lost everything," she said as Mrs. Kim showed her to a guest room. "My apartment, my friends in Paris, my relationship with my father. All because I told the truth.""You did the right thing," Mira said."Did I? Because it doesn't feel right. It feels like punishment."Mira had no response to that.Isabella settled into the estate carefully, as if afraid to take up space. She worked remotely from her room, avoided public areas when Daniel had business associates over, made herself nearly invisible."She's scared," Mira told Daniel one evening."Of what?""Of Vanessa. Of her father. Of what comes next.""She's safe here. Security is everywhere.""Physical safety isn't the same as feeling safe."Mira understood that intimately. She'd been physically secure for months but hadn't felt truly safe since Eleanor died.The media continued its assault on Isabella's credibility. Every day brought new "revelations"—carefully