Noone dares hurt my daughter!

—SAMANTHA—

“He won't.”

She frowned. “What do you mean?”

I leaned my head back against the pillow. “This marriage involving me wasn’t even Zeke’s choice. It was his grandfather’s idea—the old man pushed for it, all to cover up the scandal.”

Mary Jane’s eyebrows shot up. “So?”

“So, the only person who can end this marriage is me. If I file for a divorce, the Frost family will make the press twist the entire story; the people will mistake me for my sister Gina and would think I left Zeke because I couldn't handle the guilt, in the end, Zeke will gain sympathy."

Mary Jane’s face turned red with rage and she flared up again. "That’s ridiculous! The Frost family—they are the ones who should be ashamed for exploiting your sister and when she was no longer in use, they decided to use you as a pawn! They are ingrates!”

A wave of weariness hit me. “Please, don’t get worked up over it.”

“How can I not?!” She snapped. “Sammie, this isn’t fair! You’re suffering, and they’re getting away with it! If you won't do something about it, I will settle scores with Zeke just for you!”

“Mary, please,” I begged, my voice was barely above a whisper.

She exhaled sharply, rubbing her temples. “Fine. Whatever. What do you want me to do?”

I know my best friend wasn't soothed. I could see the anger and defiance burning in her eyes. I knew MaryJane too well—she wouldn’t let this go. She would confront Zeke, no matter the consequences.

But I couldn’t let that happen. I wouldn’t let MaryJane carry the weight of my battles. I didn't want it to affect her lifelong career or her family. Zeke is a merciless man and holds grudges.

This was my burden to bear, not hers.

“I just need you to help me to get the hell out of here,” I finally said, tiredness written over my face.

She hesitated. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I just want to leave this place.”

MaryJane sighed, still upset, but nodded. She stood up to leave, grabbing her bag. "I’ll get the discharge papers. You should rest."

She left to get the discharge papers while I stayed behind in the ward, the weight of everything crashing down on me.

As soon as she was gone, a sob broke from my throat and I let the tears flow down my cheeks.

I didn’t want Zeke. I didn’t love him. If it were up to me, I would leave the Foster family without looking back. But it wasn’t up to me.

I had made a promise.

And I couldn’t break it.

A few minutes later, MaryJane returned with the discharge papers. She didn’t say much as she helped me up and supported me out of the hospital.

Once we reached her car, she handed me the seatbelt. “I’ll drive you.”

I nodded weakly, my energy drained.

As she settled in the driver seat, I turned to her. “Send your account details to me, I’ll pay you back for the hospital bill.”

MaryJane shot me a glare. “Shut up!”

I blinked. “What?”

“We’re best friends, Sammie. You don’t owe me anything.”

A small, a tired smile crossed my lips. “Thank you.”

“Yeah, yeah,” MaryJane scoffed. “Where are we going now?" She asked as she drove out of the hospital premises. Her voice was tight as if she already knew my answer and hated it.

I let out a slow breath, staring out the window at the passing streets. "Take me to the Frost Mansion."

She scoffed, mumbling some curses under her breath, words I couldn't quite catch, but I knew her well enough to guess. She wanted to tell me to leave, to stop putting up with this, to finally walk away from that hellhole. But she knew I wouldn't.

The rest of the drive was tense and silent. When she finally pulled up to the Frost residence, I stared at the grandiose mansion with a deep sense of dread.

It felt like a prison, one I was still locked in—by duty, by promises I couldn’t break.

I reached for the door handle, but before I could get out, Maryjane quickly grabbed my wrist with her eyes full of concern.

"Becareful, Sammie. And please—please—promise me you'll call if anything happens."

I turned to look at her, offering a small, tired smile with my heart warm with gratitude. "I promise."

She didn’t believe me. I could see it in her eyes. But she let me go anyway.

I got out of the car, feeling the weight of exhaustion in my bones. All I wanted was to have a hot bath, and snuggle into the warmth of my daughter’s tiny arms.

I walked toward the entrance, my legs feeling like lead. But then—

"Mommy!"

The sweet, familiar voice cut through my fatigue like sunlight breaking through storm clouds. I looked up to see my little four-year-old daughter standing at the entrance, her big, brown eyes lighting up and she ran toward me through the driveway path, her curls bouncing with every step.

At that moment, I forgot everything. The betrayal. The pain. The humiliation. All of it no longer mattered when my daughter was in my arms.

All my worries, all my pain, evaporated. A smile broke onto my lips as I knelt down, opening my arms wide to catch her.

"Aww, my bunny," I cooed as she ran into my embrace. I held her tight, pressing a kiss to her deep cheek and I asked. "How was school today?”

She pulled back, her little fingers curled into her dress, but instead of her usual bright chatter, her smile faded. Her big, round eyes looked up at me, filled with something that made my heart clench.

"It wasn’t good," she muttered.

My heart dropped. "Why, baby? What happened?"

She played with the hem of her dress and looked down. "Daddy didn’t pick me up from school today."

I stiffened.

“And when I came home, I tried to talk to him, but..." she continued with difficulty, her fingers twisting into her dress, "A mean-looking woman chased me away, she also told me he's not my daddy.”

Heat rushed to my head. I didn’t need to ask who she meant.

I knew exactly who that "lady" was.

The same disgusting duo who had shattered my world were now hurting my child!

Before I realized it, my tightened around Amore’s tiny frame, my rage bubbling up like lava. My breathing turned heavy, my body shaking.

How dare she!

How dare Zeke let Ophelia treat my child like this?

"Mommy, it… it hurts…” Amore whimpered, squirming in my grasp.

"Madam!"

It was Amore’s nanny, eye-wide, rushing towards us in panic.

Immediately I snapped out of my anger instantly, horror flooding my chest as I loosened my grip.

"Oh, bunny, I’m so sorry," I cradled her little face in my hands frantically. "Mommy didn’t mean to hurt you." I kissed her forehead, guilt tightening my throat.

Amore sniffled but nodded, then leaned on my shoulder.

My fingers trembled as I stroked her soft curls. How dare they?!

It was one thing to betray me, to humiliate me, but to turn my own child away from the love she deserved? To chase her off like she was nothing?

My chest ached as I held Amore close, inhaling the delicate scent of her brown hair. She smelled like vanilla and baby powder—so innocent, so undeserving of this cruelty.

I straightened, my grip firm but gentle on her small shoulders. “Bunny, where is your daddy now?” My voice was calm, too calm, but inside, I was seething.

Amore hesitated, her lower lip jutting out. “In his study. The mean lady is with him.”

Ophelia.

I clenched my jaw so tightly it hurt.

"Alright,” I stroked Amore’s hair fondly before nudging her forward. “Bunny, I need you to stay with Maya while I go talk to Daddy. Okay?”

Amore nodded obediently and she went to her nanny, who cupped her up into her arms. Then I turned to head to the mansion.

"Madam, wait!" Maya stopped me, looking between me and the mansion with worry and uncertainty. "Maybe you should rest first, you just—"

I ignored her and walked toward the entrance, my heels clicking sharply against the marble floor as I stepped inside the mansion. The servants sensed my turmoil and they scattered as they saw me coming as if they already knew what was about to happen.

I didn’t care who saw me, didn’t care if the maids whispered about how ‘Madam never acted this way.’

I was beyond caring.

They had crossed a line.

No one—no one—hurts my daughter!

"Zeke Frost!" I shouted, my voice tearing through the silence in the mansion.