LOGINThe chaos in the rundown apartment ended with police intervention. Martha was detained for a few days for her part in the brawl.Unable to find Zane, authorities sent the unattended children to a welfare center. I paid little attention to their fate, my life moving forward.At our seven-star hotel, a lavish banquet celebrated my engagement with Murray Koch, head of the Koch family.Our families had been allies until my stubborn choice of Zane severed that bond. Now we were reunited.Murray stood beside me, striking in a tailored black tuxedo. He raised his glass, his voice warm and resonant. "Brittany, congratulations. After all the twists and turns, I'm the one by your side."I smiled and clinked my glass against his. "Thankfully, we didn't miss each other."Below, my father beamed with pride, while Roland buzzed with excitement for his new brother-in-law.In a grim corner of the city, Zane returned to his empty apartment. Martha had fled, taking anything of value without a not
The Grimes family was finished. Their mansion, cars, and company were auctioned, but the proceeds barely dented their debts.Martha, along with the child, stuck to them in a squalid rental apartment. Worse than the grim living conditions were the relentless debt collectors.Zane's parents, consumed by fear and despair, fell ill. With his last scraps of money, Zane sent them to their hometown, unable to care for them.Then, as if on cue, the mothers of his other children arrived, demanding support. The cramped apartment became a battleground of crying children and shouting women."Zane, these are your kids! Will you just let them starve on the streets?""Nonsense! My child is his true blood. You bastards don't deserve a cent!"Martha, surrounded by the women and their children, nearly collapsed in rage. Her dream of waiting out the storm and profiting from Zane's comeback lay in tatters."Get out!" she shrieked, shoving at the intruders. "These bastards don't belong here!"A fie
"Brittany, please spare us!" Camille pleaded.Bruno chimed in, "We failed to raise Zane properly, but our legacy can't end like this. For old times' sake, help us.""Old times' sake?" I scoffed. "You covered his infidelity, supported his mistress's child, and urged me to accept it. Where was your loyalty then?"They paled, stammering, "It was Zane's folly. We knew nothing."Camille promised, "If you spare us, I'll banish Martha and make Zane grovel for your forgiveness.""No need," I cut in. "Your fate means nothing to me. As for Zane..."Just then, Zane stormed in, roaring, "Don't beg her!"He tried pulling them away, but Bruno shook him off, pointing at his nose. "You ruined us! Apologize to Brittany now!""Why should I?" Zane glared at me. "You think you've won? I built myself from nothing. I've faced worse. I'll rise again and make you pay for the humiliation today!""Rise again?" I laughed, the sound sharp and mocking.He had conveniently forgotten that he couldn't have
Zane froze, then exploded with rage. "You admit it, you vile woman! Return Martha and my child, or I'll ruin you!"He lunged, but my guards pinned him down. I stepped closer, unhurried. "Patience. You'll see her soon. It's time to end this farce."I had him escorted to a car, reporters trailing us like vultures. The livestream viewership soared to tens of millions.We drove to a villa outside the city, a place Zane recognized. Doubt flickered across his face as we disembarked.The reporters surged into the lavishly decorated house. Upstairs, in a quiet room, we found Martha cradling the baby, humming softly.A table nearby overflowed with supplements. Two men stood at the door—not captors, but sentries. This was no kidnapping.Zane exhaled, rushing to embrace her. "Thank God you're safe!"But as he held her, suspicion crept into his mind. Martha's face paled when she saw us appearing together, but she clung to her act. "Zane, you're finally here. These past few days...""It's o
My words hung in the air, but Zane let out a mocking laugh.One of his men whispered urgently in his ear, and his face paled instantly. Before he could react, the bodyguards brought by my assistant surged in and surrounded him.Fists and boots rained down, leaving him crumpled and gasping at the hospital's entrance. I thought he'd stay quiet for a while, but he hosted a press conference.Standing before a sea of cameras, he whimpered, "I'm here to expose Brittany Sanford, the gambling tycoon's daughter. She kidnapped my family."He displayed his bruises like trophies. "I confronted her, but she had me beaten up and thrown out. Is there no justice?"The room erupted in murmurs. The livestream surged to millions, the chat exploding with outrage and speculation.My assistant and I arrived just as Zane continued his performance. "Her mind is twisted because she can't bear children. She kidnapped my only child and Martha. They're my life. If she doesn't return them, I'll make her pay!
I stared at him, incredulous. "I don't know what you're talking about. Get out!""Still lying?" Zane spat. "Martha took the baby for a checkup. They left the hospital and vanished. You can't have children, so you stole mine?"His accusations were laughable. Without a word, I signaled my guards to remove him.But Zane came prepared. As my men advanced, a group of burly thugs poured in from behind him. They overwhelmed my guards, pinning my arms behind my back before I could react.Zane loomed over me, his face twisted with malice. "Give me my child, or I'll make you pay!""Absurd!" I spat. "Why would I kidnap your child?"He slapped me, the sting sharp. "Tell me where they are!"My arms were restrained, but my eyes burned into his. "I told you, I have nothing to do with this!""Fine! If you don't talk, I'll beat it out of you," he sneered, gesturing to his men, who advanced with batons raised."I dare you to touch me!" I warned. "My family will bury you all!"Unfazed, Zane wav







