Chapter 2

Bella's POV

Zet snapped the metal lighter shut with a click, a mocking smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Mom, you can't seriously blame us for taking Marielle's side. Adeline thinks she can push everyone around just because our family is rich.

"If we don't put her in her place now, someone else will once she gets out into the real world. And they won't be nearly as nice about it."

Four adopted sons, and ten years of my life. I had spared no expense hiring the best tutors and mentors money could buy, teaching them how to think three moves ahead, how to command a room, and how to survive in a world where power mattered.

I had pulled them out of the foster care system and given them opportunities, connections, and a future most people could only dream of.

And this was what they'd done with everything I'd taught them. They had turned those very skills against Adeline and helped outsiders torment her.

I walked straight past Evander and crouched beside Adeline. She had bitten her lower lip so hard it had gone white. Tears streamed silently down her face.

"Mom…" Her voice was painfully hoarse. Both hands clutched what remained of her torn blouse, desperately holding the fabric together as if it were the last shred of dignity she had left.

I took off my cashmere coat and wrapped it securely around her. "It's over now."

I gently stroked her cold hair before pulling her into my arms.

Evander watched me, his frown deepening. "Mom, blindly taking Adeline's side no matter what she does isn't protecting her. You're going to ruin her."

He stepped forward and reached for her arm. "Adeline, get up and apologize to Marielle. Do that, and we'll let what happened today go."

I slapped Evander across the face. The crack echoed through the bathroom.

His head snapped to the side, and his glasses slipped from his face. They hit the tile with a sharp clatter, leaving one lens cracked.

Caspian's and Stellan's expressions changed instantly. "Mom! What are you doing?"

Caspian pushed Marielle behind him and rushed forward. "You're seriously hitting Evander over something this minor?"

Evander raised a hand, stopping him before he could come any closer. Slowly, he turned back toward me. A vivid red mark was already forming across his pale cheek.

Even then, he maintained that infuriating air of calm superiority. "Mom, if hitting me makes you feel better, then fine. I won't fight back.

"But my answer hasn't changed. Adeline needs to learn how to treat people with respect. Until she does, none of us will consider her our sister."

Still sheltered behind Caspian, Marielle gave his sleeve a timid tug. "Caspian, Ms. Vale is scaring me…"

Zet let out a derisive laugh, casually turning the lighter over between his fingers. "Mom, you've really disappointed us today. I always thought you were someone who could tell right from wrong.

"Turns out you're no different from every other parent who thinks their precious kid can do no wrong."

I looked coldly at the four arrogant faces in front of me and wondered if I had given them too much over the past ten years—so much that they'd forgotten exactly where they came from and who had given them everything they now took for granted.

"Your disappointment means absolutely nothing to me." I helped Adeline to her feet and kept one arm firmly around her as I faced them.

"You seem convinced Adeline throws her family's money around to get whatever she wants. Fine. Starting today, the four of you won't be spending another cent of the Vale family's money either."

Stellan gave a dismissive scoff. He folded his arms across his chest and looked away, openly contemptuous. "Mom, are you seriously threatening to freeze our accounts again?

"The four of us are running some of the most important divisions at Vale Group. Do you honestly think the company can function without us?"

Evander bent down and retrieved his glasses. Without any sign of urgency, he took out a handkerchief, wiped the dust from the cracked lenses, and put them back on.

"Mom, we've been at your side for ten years. Even if you don't think we've accomplished enough to deserve your appreciation, we've certainly earned some consideration for everything we've done. Are you sure you'd burn every bridge with us over Adeline?"

I tightened my arm around Adeline and headed for the door.