Chapter Two

The moment I stepped outside, I looked up. The stars were bright, the moon even brighter. A soft breeze hit my skin.

I stood there for a second.

Freedom.

At least, that’s what it was supposed to be.

But it didn’t feel like freedom. It felt like a prettier version of the basement. 

A man in a crisp suit opened the back seat car door, and I got in. I didn’t speak. I didn’t ask questions. Raymond was already inside, sitting next to me, but I pretended not to acknowledge that he was there. I stared out the window, admiring the city lights.

“You look different,” he said, breaking the silence. 

I didn’t say a word. 

“You dyed it black.”

I still didn’t say anything.

“Good choice,” he muttered. “Those blonde curls made you look too much like your mother.”

I haven’t forgotten you, Mom. I only changed my hair to black and straight to erase the old me, not you.

He paused long enough for me to feel the weight of what was coming.

"If you hadn’t let some silly little playboy knock you up at eighteen, I wouldn’t have had to go this far. You disgraced me. Do you know what that will do to my name if people find out?" 

There it was. The lie he told himself to sleep at night. That this was about his name. His reputation. His legacy. Not the fact that he was a monster hiding behind a father’s title.

"Keith Cross," he paused. “I warned you about him. I told you he was no good. But no, you believed every damn lie that boy fed you.”

Keith Cross. Even his name made my stomach turn. If he hadn’t filled my head with promises and dreams and disappeared like a coward, maybe I would’ve had something to hold on to. Maybe I wouldn’t have been alone when everything fell apart. But now… I hated him more than I hated Raymond. Because Raymond never pretended to love me.

I kept staring out the window, my jaw tight and heart heavier than it had been in days. I didn’t want to think about Keith. Not now. Not ever.

He was gone, and I hated him for it.

I leaned my head against the window, forcing myself to stay calm. I didn’t respond for the rest of the ride.

We finally pulled into the Grey estate. Clean white walls, black marble steps, tall iron gates that screamed old money. The kind of place you didn’t enter unless you were born with a diamond spoon in your mouth or forced to marry one.

As soon as the car stopped, the door opened, and I saw her.

A tall woman stood by the entrance, wearing a brown wrap dress that hugged her figure. She smiled like she’d been waiting just for me.

The second I stepped out of the car, she was already there, closing the distance and taking my hands in hers like we were long-lost friends instead of strangers. Something about it eased the tight knot in my chest. I actually smiled back, surprised that I could.

Her eyes scanned my hair, then my eyes. 

"I'm so sorry, in the pictures Mr. Dakota showed me, you had blonde curls…” she said, then shook her head with a soft laugh. “But it doesn’t matter. You’re still so beautiful."

Before I could even figure out what to say, Raymond appeared by my side.

"It’s quite chilly outside, don’t you think, Mrs. Grey? Why don’t we take it inside?”

She blinked, like she’d just remembered we were still standing on the front steps.

“Yes, of course. Forgive me,” she said, turning back to me. “I’m Helen Grey. Welcome to the family.”

I only nodded because I didn't know what to say; she already knew who I was.

She didn’t let go of my hand as we walked into the house. And strangely, I didn’t mind.

Immediately I entered the house, a man came down the stairs. Sharp suit. Salt-and-pepper hair and beard. Strong build.

“You must be Liana,” he said, reaching the last step and offering his hand. “Elias Grey.”

I took it. “Nice to meet you.”

"We’re happy to have you here. I know this whole arrangement is... unconventional, but I hope we can make you feel at home.”

I nodded, unsure what to say. 

“Come on in. Dinner’s waiting.”

I was led to the dining room, and they immediately started discussing, mostly about how Helen and Elias met Raymond. I tried to listen, but honestly, I didn’t care. Then they mentioned how this marriage would strengthen the family bond and help the business grow. Help the business grow? Yeah, right. I was sure Raymond had another plan, and the only reason for the delay was that I wasn't married to Logan yet. Whatever happened to their family wasn't my business; they were at fault for not seeing through Raymond. My daughter is my first and only priority, and if it meant destroying this happy family to get my daughter back, I'd gladly do so.

Dinner was served, and we dug in. They still didn't stop talking and always tried to bring me into the conversation. “So, how was Paris?” Helen asked. “It was fine.” I kept it short. I couldn't provide details about a place I'd never actually visited. “She went there on business,” Raymond added proudly. "She wants to follow my footsteps. That’s why she’s my heiress.” 

Lie after lie. They nodded like it was gospel, asking follow-up questions and praising my dedication as if they knew a thing about me. I smiled. I nodded. I answered just enough to keep things moving. But with every minute that passed, the air got heavier. Logan still hadn’t shown, and the questions became so overwhelming that I was tired of answering. 

One hour.

One freaking hour. 

I couldn’t do it anymore.

“I’m gonna step out for a second,” I said, standing up before anyone could stop me. “Oh, do you need—” Helen started. “I’m fine,” I said quickly, already halfway out of the room. I needed to breathe. I clutched my chest as I headed for the door, my head down as I tried to steady my breathing. But when I got to the door, I slammed into it. It didn't hurt like it was supposed to, or maybe I didn't feel it 'cause I was finding it difficult to breathe. 

The voices became indistinct sounds. I lifted my head and noticed that the door I slammed into was no door, it was a human, a man, to be precise, and the face was awfully familiar. My vision was getting blurred, so I couldn't see the person clearly. I blinked continuously and finally saw the person standing in front of me.

It couldn't be. I took a few steps back and blinked again, but the image before me persisted. He looked different, but I could still recognize him. Someone should... someone should please explain why Keith Cross is standing before me!