LOGINThe silence in the room was heavy—thick with everything that couldn't be said.Alina's tears continued to fall in that terrible silent way—no sobs, no sound, just an endless stream down her hollow cheeks.Ms. Fontaine leaned forward slightly, her voice gentle but with an underlying firmness that suggested she wouldn't accept deflection anymore."Alina," she said carefully. "I can see that you're in pain. Deep pain. What happened to make you feel this way?"Alina's hands twisted in her lap—wringing each other with a desperate, unconscious motion.She opened her mouth.Closed it.Opened it again.But no words came out.Just more tears—silent and endless.Dr. Halvorsen's eyes narrowed slightly—not with suspicion but with clinical assessment."Alina," she said in that particular tone that psychiatrists used when they needed a patient to really hear them. "When was the last time you felt safe?"The question landed like a physical blow.Alina's breath caught audibly in her throat.Safe.Whe
The walk up the stairs felt endless to Mrs. Helen. Each step echoed in the silence—a slow procession toward a moment that could change everything or nothing at all. Ms. Fontaine walked behind her with steady footsteps, her eyes scanning the hallway with professional attention—noting the expensive artwork on the walls, the fresh flowers in crystal vases, the pristine condition of everything. A wealthy home. A comfortable home. But Ms. Fontaine had learned long ago that wealth didn't preclude suffering. Sometimes it just hid it better. Dr. Halvorsen walked beside Ms. Fontaine with a more clinical focus—her eyes tracking the layout of the house, the security cameras mounted discreetly in corners, the lack of family photographs in the hallway. Details that spoke volumes to someone trained to see them. They reached the second floor and Mrs. Helen led them down a long corridor to a door at the end. She paused with her hand on the doorknob and turned to face them. "Mrs.
The night passed slowly and torturously.Alina lay in bed with her eyes open, staring at the dark ceiling.Every time her eyes began to feel heavy, Daniel's words echoed in her head—threats about her father, about the destruction of Hayes Corporation, about the eight million dollar debt that could be called at any time.And each time, Alina jolted awake with her heart pounding hard.When dawn finally illuminated the window curtains with dim gray light, Alina still hadn't slept at all.Her body felt heavy—as if filled with lead.Her head throbbed with a dull ache.And her hand—which moved to her stomach with a gesture that had become automatic—trembled with profound exhaustion.The door opened gently.Mrs. Helen entered with a breakfast tray and a face full of worry."Ma'am," she called in a soft voice. "It's morning. The examination will begin in two hours."Alina didn't respond. She just continued staring at the ceiling with empty eyes.Mrs. Helen set the tray on the bedside table an
Daniel stood before the large window of his study with his hands clasped behind his back.The afternoon sun illuminated the profile of his face—casting sharp shadows that made his expression appear harder than usual.Marcus stood several meters behind him with a tablet in hand and a tense expression."So, they've already assigned the inspection officers?"Daniel spoke without turning around."Yes, Sir," Marcus answered. "The appointed social worker is Ms. Claire Fontaine. And the independent physician is Dr. Ingrid Halvorsen."Daniel nodded, then settled into his chair with fingers interlaced in front of his chest."Claire Fontaine and Ingrid Halvorsen," he repeated in a thoughtful tone. "What have you found on them?"Marcus scrolled on the tablet and began reading in detail."Ms. Claire Fontaine, thirty-eight years old. Social worker with twelve years of experience in domestic welfare cases. Reputation as thorough but fair. No red flags in our background check. She will conduct a pri
At the Blackwood family mansion, Alina sat in a chair near the window, her hand moving slowly to touch her stomach.Her fingers traced the flat, thin surface—no visual sign of the life growing inside. But Dr. Ross had confirmed it. Blood test. Urine test. All positive.She was pregnant.Two weeks.Alina stared at the closed curtains with empty eyes. Her mind spun in the same circles as the past few days—between confusion, fear, and something resembling profound sadness.She should be happy.Pregnancy was a blessing—something celebrated with smiles and hope.But all Alina felt was a terrible emptiness.Once—before all this—Alina had imagined having a child with Daniel.That was when their contract marriage still felt tolerable. When Daniel treated her with minimal respect. When Alina could still smile and think that maybe they could build something more than just a business arrangement.She had once imagined what it would be like to carry Daniel's child. Imagined how they would become
Two days later... The hearing for the emergency wellness check petition was held. Emma stood outside the courtroom with trembling hands holding a folder containing documents to be submitted to the court. Richard Hayes stood beside her with a pale face—eyes red from lack of sleep last night. He was worried that today's hearing would go smoothly. "What if it's rejected?" Richard whispered in a voice full of worry. "What if the judge thinks we don't have enough evidence? What if—" "Uncle," Emma cut in gently but firmly. "We've done everything we could do. Now we can only trust Adrian and the legal system." Richard nodded but his hands still trembled. The courtroom door opened and Adrian came out with upright posture and an impressively calm expression considering the pressure of the situation. "It's time," he said while looking at Richard and Emma with eyes full of determination. "Are you ready?" Richard took a deep breath. "Ready." They walked into the cool courtroo
CHAPTER 52Morning came too quickly.Or perhaps not quickly enough. Alina wasn't sure anymore. Time had felt strange since she'd been confined to her room—too slow and too fast simultaneously, like a broken clock.At exactly eight o'clock, the sound of a large engine woke her from restless sleep.A
Mr. Harris hesitated briefly, then nodded and stepped away, clearing the path for Clarissa.Clarissa knocked on the door—twice, sharp—then entered without waiting for an answer.Alina stood at the window—still in the same position since the photoshoot began.Mrs. Helen sat on a chair in the corner
Day five since Alina was allowed to see Junior.Five days with the same routine. Measured. Controlled.In the morning—Alina went to Junior’s room when he woke up. Helped him get ready. Straightened his uniform. Walked him to the dining table where Clarissa already waited with a smile that was far t
Alina sat on the floor, back leaning against the bedroom door.It had been two hours since Daniel yelled at Junior in the playroom. His voice had carried all the way up here—loud, angry, merciless. Alina hadn't caught every word, but the tone was clear enough.Junior was being scolded. Because of h







