Chapter 2

"Be back by eight. If you're late, don't expect to see Leah."

The line went dead.

I didn't dare waste a second. I dragged my injured leg out of the factory. My phone had no signal, and I couldn't get a ride that far out. I walked along the coastal highway for what felt like forever before I managed to flag down a delivery truck.

By the time I reached Maple Ridge, it was nearly eight.

Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, the rooms blazed with light. A band played in the corner of the living room while the Cole family's friends, board members, and foundation donors mingled with champagne glasses in hand. Adrian stood at the center of the crowd holding four-year-old Mia, and Vera had changed into a flowing evening gown, with only a single thin bandage around her arm.

My mother, Margaret, was there too.

She took a small silver tiara from a jewelry box and placed it on Mia's head. It was a Walker family heirloom meant to be passed down to her granddaughter, one she had promised to give Leah on her sixth birthday.

"Welcome home, our little princess." Mom smiled warmly. "Starting today, you're part of this family too."

Applause filled the room.

But my Leah was crouching alone in the shadows of the porch, still wearing the dirty dress from the kidnapping. The moment she saw me, she burst into tears and threw herself into my arms. "Mommy, you're finally back. I was so scared you didn't want me anymore."

I knelt down and held her, unable to stop my own tears any longer.

The warmth and celebration inside belonged to Mia. The cold wind outside belonged to us.

Leah stared at the silver tiara and asked in a small voice, "Didn't Grandma say that was for me? Was I not good enough? Is that why she doesn't want me anymore?"

"No." I wiped her tears away. "My Leah didn't do anything wrong. They're the ones who don't deserve your love."

Leah shouted toward the house, furious. "You're all bad people! Every one of you who made my mommy cry!"

The music stopped. Everyone turned toward the door.

Mom strode out, her face stern. "Do you really have to make a scene in front of all these guests? Showing up like this, are you trying to make everyone think we've mistreated you?"

I held Leah and asked calmly, "You've known all along that Adrian and Vera were legally married, haven't you?"

Mom looked away. "Everyone can see how much Vera has done for you and this family over the years. Today she nearly died trying to save you. Adrian is better off with her than with someone who's never home, buried in research."

"But I'm your daughter." I looked at her. "And Leah is your granddaughter."

Guilt flickered in Mom's eyes, but she still lowered her voice. "Don't make this any uglier. Vera saved my life and took care of me for years. You already have so much. Why can't you give her a chance at a life of her own?"

My shoulders sagged, little by little.

"I understand." I managed a smile. "I won't cause any more trouble."

Adrian stood inside the doorway, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Come inside. The lawyers and guests are all here. Don't make us look bad."

The estate was warm, but I was shaking so hard my teeth chattered.

Adrian didn't ask me what I'd been through over the past three days. He didn't even glance at Leah.

He held Mia through the introduction ceremony, announcing that she would carry the Cole name and receive shares of the education fund and family trust. Only after the lawyers put away their documents and the guests raised their glasses again did he come to me, without a trace of guilt on his face.

"Since everything's out in the open, I don't need to keep pretending," he said. "I've been exhausted keeping up this sham marriage all these years. If Vera hadn't kept stopping me, I would have kicked you out a long time ago."

Vera was my college roommate.

She came from a dying mining town up north and made it through college on scholarships. Her parents died when she was young. After graduation, she hastily married a short-tempered contractor who turned to heavy drinking when his business failed and started beating her.

When she came to me for help, I connected her with legal aid, helped her file a restraining order, and covered the initial costs of her divorce. Worried she'd lose her income, I asked Adrian to give her an administrative position, and later even agreed to let her become his personal assistant.

Back then, she held my hand, trembling as she cried. "Elena, you and Adrian are the only people in this world who still treat me like family."

But the woman who kept calling me family had already become his legal wife behind my back.

Vera walked over and opened her arms as if nothing had changed. "Elena, I know you can't accept this right away. We can talk things through."

I stepped aside to avoid her.

The smile on her lips didn't waver. She bent down and scooped up Leah instead. "Sweetie, did you miss Vera?"

Leah immediately struggled. "Let go of me! I want my mommy!"

Vera leaned close to her ear, her voice low but loud enough for me to hear. "Be good. If you keep making a fuss, those men from the cannery will come back for you."

Leah froze instantly, her face going white.

Vera looked up at me, as if waiting for me to break.

I lunged forward, snatched Leah back, and slapped Vera across the face with my battered hand.

Adrian rushed at me almost the same moment and shoved me away. I fell with Leah at the edge of the carpet, the back of my head cracking against the corner of a table. My vision went black.

Leah pulled free from my grip and rushed at Vera in tears, but Mom grabbed her.

"Leah, how dare you push her!" Mom snapped. "She's going to take care of you from now on. You need to learn to respect her!"