Chapter 2

When Elias and I were together, he was still only the heir to the Voss family.

That year, he personally wiped out an enemy organization. He took several bullets and still executed its three leaders without flinching.

When I bandaged his wounds, he even comforted me and told me not to be scared.

For years, I remembered the warmth of his hand in my hair.

So when he kissed my forehead, I was too excited to sleep through the night for an entire week.

Back then, I truly believed the love between us could bridge the gap between our stations.

But I was wrong.

Shortly after I became pregnant with my first child, I saw him holding a crying Vivian, his face full of the tenderness he used to show only me.

"Don't worry. That child will belong only to you. He'll be our heir, and no one will ever question your place as Donna again just because you can't have children."

He'd thought of everything for Vivian but hadn't given me a single thought.

That day, for the first time, I wanted to leave the Voss estate.

But my mother still worked on the estate. If I left, Elias would have her killed.

So I had to stay.

I endured it for two years, keeping my head down and addressing my own son as "Master Felix." I took on any chore that gave me a chance to see him. One glimpse was enough to keep me going.

But now, two years later, I could no longer see my son, and they'd taken my daughter too.

Elias and Vivian had their heir and their little princess.

And my mother was safely gone.

Finally, it was my turn to be free.

My daughter's 100-day presentation ceremony was a lavish affair.

The Dons and Donnas of allied families gathered around Elias and Vivian, making small talk.

The Voss family elders sat together under the family crest, an eagle in flight.

Every child of the Don and Donna was formally presented to the family on their 100th day, confirming the child's place in the bloodline.

Elias carried Felix into the middle of the front hall. The moment Felix saw Vivian, he eagerly reached out his arms.

"Mommy, hold me!"

I closed my eyes. I couldn't bear to watch their happiness.

With my daughter in her arms, Vivian and Elias inscribed the name Caterina Voss in the family register.

Caterina.

Back when Elias and I were together, I used to think that if we ever had a daughter, I'd name her Vera.

After she finished writing, Vivian suddenly looked at me.

"Why don't we give Caterina's birth mother a chance to hold her today as a reward for her contribution?"

Thanks to Vivian's generous gift, I finally got to touch my daughter for the first time.

She was so tiny, so soft. With her eyes closed, she looked like an angel.

But soon, she opened her eyes and started crying and squirming, reaching for Vivian.

People in the crowd started whispering.

"Look, what a smart baby. She knows who deserves to be her mother."

"If the Donna weren't so kind, someone like her would never be allowed to touch Miss Caterina."

Vivian took the baby from me and soothed her.

My daughter settled down right away.

I slowly walked to a corner and watched Elias stand beside Vivian, our son's hand in his and our daughter in her arms.

Everyone praised their happy family.

All I could do was stand alone in a dark corner, watching their happiness like a rat in the shadows. None of it had anything to do with me.