Chapter 2

Tiana had poured most of Sabell Group's capital into a newly developed real estate project; without my capital, the company would face immediate insolvency. Gina had begged me for an investment in this exact same way eight years ago, hoping I would rescue three generations of the Sabell family's legacy.

I was forced to kneel in front of the Zeller residence for three days straight and severed ties with my family to marry Tiana. I ignored Natalie Zeller's, my sister's, objections and invested every bit of my money into Sabell Group, alienating the only person in the family who cared for me.

What did I receive for my sacrifice?

I got to my feet, cradling Sabrina's body in my arms, and stated flatly, "I've officially settled my debt to Tiana, who saved me from drowning ten years ago. I have no reason to remain with the Sabell family now that Sabrina is dead."

Gina hunched over, looking as though she had aged ten years all at once. "I'll call Tiana this instant and let you do with her as you wish. I'm begging you—please just give her one more chance to make up for this."

It took dozens of calls before Tiana finally picked up. She sounded cold and sharp while saying, "I've already married Nicholas to satisfy you. What more could you possibly want from me, Grandma?"

Gina yelled, "You're the one who said you loved Nicholas! How could you harm him and Sabrina?"

Tiana snapped, "Nicholas was the one who hired someone to run me over so that he could 'rescue' me! He tricked me into loving him, and he deserves to pay for it. I've only sent Sabrina over to the chapel to offer some prayers—a few days of kneeling and fasting.

"Is that really something to get upset over? Hayden hasn't had much of an appetite, so I need to look after him. You should just tell Nicholas to stop stirring up trouble, Grandma."

Tiana merely said it was "just a few days of kneeling and fasting," but even the strong would break after seven days of starvation. Sabrina was merely a child with a heart condition—her knees were literally worn down to the bone.

Gina suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood and fell to the ground. "It's over for the Sabell family!"

Gina was rushed to the hospital, while I brought Sabrina home; after all, I needed to change her into new clothes before saying my final goodbye.

Those household staff in the courtyard watched with terror as I carried Sabrina in.

"She's soaked in blood, with bones showing through!"

"It seems like we'll have to serve Mr. Brown better from now on—he's the one in charge of the household now. I heard that the child is supposedly Mr. Brown and Ms. Sabell's, born via a surrogate."

I walked into the living room, and Hayden was taken aback when he saw me coming toward him.

He shot a glance at Sabrina, cocked his brow slightly, then turned to Tiana. "It seems like Nicholas just can't stand me or our newborn, Tiana. Henry is suffering in the hospital because of the malevolent energy surrounding Sabrina. How can Nicholas not feel guilty about that?"

Tiana furrowed her brow and proactively pulled him into her arms. She then let out a derisive sneer before kicking me hard. "Hayden hasn't been eating well, so I'm taking him out for some Forancian cuisine. You've truly raised a daughter as corrupted as you—she's actually trying to fool me by playing dead!"

I fell to the floor, causing Sabrina to slip from my arms. I scrambled to hold her again, murmuring, "You have nothing to be afraid of, Sabrina."

Tiana kicked Sabrina a few times. "You'd better stop pretending and get up this instant. Hayden is still feeling unwell. Did you not pray sincerely when you were kneeling at the chapel, or did you eat something when you weren't supposed to?"

Upon seeing Sabrina remain motionless, Tiana grew impatient and roughly grabbed my chin. "Sabrina has turned out just like you—disgusting and full of lies! You both should perform on stage since you're both such good actors!

"You've failed as a parent, so Hayden will take over your position as her father instead! I expect to see Sabrina serving Hayden with respect once we return!"