Chapter 1

Hugh's POV

My love was only going to get in the way of our daughter's life? My wife, Felicia McCoy's, words kept echoing in my mind, making my fingers tremble.

My nose stung as memories of our daughter, Elsa Wadlow, came flooding back.

She was only five years old when I thought she'd gone missing. She was such a sweet girl, always knowing how to make me smile and following me everywhere. She had once been my greatest pride.

I refused to believe my daughter didn't want me, and I had to see her for myself.

Felicia sighed, her expression softening. She placed a photograph in front of me. Elsa and Gordon Parker, Felicia's first love, were smiling brightly in it.

"She's grown up now," Felicia said, pausing for a moment. "She's happy with Gordon. You shouldn't disrupt her life. Gordon is a better father than you are."

Felicia had stripped me of my right to be a father and decided I was unfit to be part of Elsa's life. What gave her the right to do that?

I couldn't contain my anger and grabbed her by the shoulders. The missing-child flyers in my hand scattered across the floor.

"What gives you the right to say that?" I shouted at her.

Felicia froze, but before she could react, Gordon suddenly showed up. He shoved me aside and stepped in front of Felicia, shielding her from me.

"Hugh, if you have a problem, take it up with me. It's all my fault. I was suffering from depression after I lost my daughter. Felicia was only trying to keep me from falling apart. Don't blame her. I'll make it up to you."

He pleaded with me, but Felicia immediately stopped him. "Gordon, it's not your fault. I made that choice, and I let Elsa go with you."

The two of them clung to each other, making me look like the bad guy trying to tear them apart rather than the victim of their deception.

How ridiculous.

Gordon's eyes reddened. "Hugh, I'll give Elsa back to you, I swear. I'm just asking you to give her time. She doesn't adapt well to change. Please give her time to adjust."

I pulled my arm away and stumbled, my lower back slamming into the chair beside me. The pain was so intense that cold sweat broke out on my forehead.

Felicia's eyes remained fixed on Gordon, full of concern. When she finally looked at me, her expression hardened.

"Hugh Wadlow, knock it off," she said coldly. "Elsa doesn't want to come back. If you force her, she'll only end up hating you."

My mind went blank.

When Felicia saw that I didn't respond, she lost her temper. "You're being ridiculous!"

I started shaking again.

Felicia seemed to have forgotten that I also fell into a depression after Elsa disappeared. She was the one who had pushed me to that point just to protect Gordon.