Ch-1

June 11, 2024...

"Adina, stop!" Vanessa’s voice cracked through the silence as she rushed into the ward, the harsh white lights of the facility making everything feel too exposed, too sterile.

The faint bite of antiseptic clung to the air, barely masked by the artificial lavender mist puffing from a nearby diffuser.

Adina was standing next to her bed, barefoot on the cold floor. Her hospital gown hung off one shoulder, her arms streaked red.

She didn’t stop. Her nails dragged across torn skin like she was trying to peel something off—or out—of herself.

"Baby, no—no, stop that." Vanessa reached her, grabbing her wrists gently but firmly.

Adina didn’t look at her. Her eyes were wide and glossy, as she stared at the walls of her ward room.

"It won’t stop," she whispered. "It’s under my skin. I can feel it... I have to get it out..."

Vanessa’s heart ached. This wasn’t her granddaughter. Not the fearless, wild girl she raised after her son died. This was someone who had been broken.

"You’re safe now," Vanessa said softly, brushing hair out of Adina’s face with a trembling hand. "I’m here. You’re not alone anymore."

Adina blinked slowly, like she was coming up for air from under the water. "Am I? Because everything feels... wrong. I wake up and it seems like the walls are breathing…”

“...People talk…I can hear them but I don't see their mouths move. And sometimes... I hear Adrian crying. Where’s Adrian? Where’s my baby?!"

She started to panic, jerking against Vanessa’s grip. Her breath came in fast, shallow gasps. "I have to find him. I need to—please—I need to find him."

Vanessa pulled her closer, wrapping her up like she used to when Adina was little and scared of thunderstorms.

"He’s okay," she whispered, pressing her cheek against Adina’s clammy forehead. "He’s with me now. He’s safe. I promise you."

Adina’s voice cracked. "I’m not crazy, Grandma. I swear, I just... I don’t know what’s happening to me.”

Adina’s gaze dropped to her arms. Blood was already drying in thin, angry lines.

“I’m scared,” she whispered, almost too quiet to hear. “I don’t know what’s real anymore. I close my eyes and see… things. Awful things.”

Vanessa tightened her hold. Her hand trembled against Adina’s back, She fought the panic rising in her chest, forcing calm into her voice.

“I know, baby. I know. But you’re not going through this alone.”

Adina leaned into her, shaking like a leaf caught in the wind. “It feels like I’m slipping,” she mumbled. “Like my head’s not mine anymore.”

Vanessa rocked her gently. “You’re gonna get through this. I swear to you—we’ll get answers. But for now, I need you to calm.”

Adina pulled back a little, eyes swimming with tears. “Where’s Adrian? Really? Is he okay?”

“He’s with me,” Vanessa said softly. “I took him home with me. Anita’s watching him—she’s amazing with babies, remember? He’s safe, I promise.”

Adina stared at her, trying to believe it. Trying to hang onto something solid. “Okay,” she breathed.

Vanessa kissed the top of her head, holding her close again. “I’m getting you out of here. You don’t belong in this place. And the people who did this to you…”

She paused, her voice low and cold now.

“They’ll pay. Every last one of them.”

———

Two days later…

Vanessa King sat poised like royalty in her sitting room, her expression unreadable, the quiet elegance of the space clashing with the tension thickening by the second.

Her fingers were folded neatly on her lap, but her eyes didn’t waver as Eric Harrington walked in, flanked by his mother, Mabel, and Caleb West, the legal director of King Group.

Eric didn't sit and went straight to speaking.

“You had no right,” he said, voice clipped, standing stiff near the armchair opposite hers. “...To discharged Adina from the mental hospital without telling me. And you took Adrian out of my house without my permission…That's basically kidnapping.”

Vanessa arched one brow, unbothered. “Your house?” Her tone was calm, but the disdain in it was unmistakable. “You mean the house I gave my granddaughter as a wedding gift?”

Eric hesitated. His mouth opened like he had a comeback, but nothing came out. He glanced at his mother, Mabel for backup, and fortunately she was already stepping forward.

“This is over the line, Vanessa,” Mabel said, smoothing her blazer sleeve. “You’re not her doctor, or a judge. Eric’s her husband—he should be involved in her care. And Adrian is their child. You don’t just get to take them.”

Caleb cleared his throat, trying to mediate. “Mrs. King, if I may… legally, Eric does have spousal rights during a medical crisis. And as the child’s father—”

Vanessa raised a hand, cutting him off with a look.

“Let’s stop right there.”

The room fell silent.

“You all seem very sure Adrian is Eric’s biological son,” she said, each word deliberate. “But based on my recent findings… he’s not.”

Eric’s head snapped toward her. 

Mabel tensed.

“What are you talking about?” Eric demanded. “That’s not true.”

Vanessa stood, slowly, her expression unreadable.

“As far as I’m concerned, Adrian is Adina’s son. Which makes him mine to protect. So I suggest you tread carefully, Eric.”

Mabel regained her voice first. “You’re bluffing,” she said sharply. “This is just a smear job to push my son out of Adina’s life. What proof do you even have?”

Vanessa stepped closer, her heels barely making a sound on the polished floor. Her voice dropped, cool and sharp as glass.

“Oh, don’t worry, the proof will be presented in court. Including the doctor who drugged Adina with benzodiazepines and antipsychotics. And whoever paid him to do it.”

Eric looked dazed, shoulders stiffening. “I didn’t… I didn’t know about that,” he said quietly. “I just took her there because she wasn't okay. She needed help, I thought—”

“Stop,” Mabel snapped, cutting him off. “She’s baiting you. None of this will hold. We’ll find out where she’s keeping Adina and Adrian, don’t worry.”

A sudden buzz broke the moment. Caleb reached inside his jacket, checking his phone. As he read the message, color drained from his face.

He leaned over to Eric. “You need to see this.”

Eric took the phone, frowning. His expression darkened.

Mabel snatched it from his hand, scanning the screen. Her voice rose. “You’re calling for an emergency board meeting? Without telling Eric?”

Vanessa didn’t even blink. Her reply came cool and effortless.

“Good. So the mole’s still leaking info. I was counting on that.” She turned to Eric. “If you want to stay chairman, you’ll have to prove something before Wednesday.”

She let that hang in the air before continuing a few seconds later, “Paternity test. You, Mabel, and Dominic. Submit yourselves…” 

“...Or step down. Because the only reason you became chairman was thanks to my son’s Will—naming Adina’s husband as successor if she gave birth to his child.”

Eric stared at her, frozen.

Vanessa stepped closer to him, her voice lowering to a final, warning hush. “Don’t look so shocked, I’m just getti

ng started. Everything you, your mother, and her little circle did to my granddaughter… I’m going to bring it to light.”