LOGINTwo 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 courtroom with high ceilings
Daniel and Dr. Ross came out of the study with serious expressions—both had just finished a long discussion about the care protocol for Alina who was pregnant in critical condition."Remember what I said, Dr. Ross," Daniel said in a tone that left no room for error. "Full dose prenatal vitamins. Daily IV nutrition until she can eat properly. And close monitoring for signs of fetal distress."Dr. Ross nodded with a pale face."I understand, Mr. Blackwood. I will—""PAPA!"A cheerful voice cut off their conversation.Daniel turned and saw Junior running across the corridor with a wide smile—an expression very different from the fear he showed a few days ago when Daniel slapped him."Junior," Daniel greeted while opening his arms.Junior immediately hugged Daniel's waist tightly—an embrace full of the joy of a small child who missed his father."Papa's home!" Junior said in an excited voice. "I missed Papa! Where has Papa been?"Daniel smiled—the first genuine smile since coming home. He
In her luxurious penthouse, Margaret sat in front of her laptop with eyes fixed on the screen.A few minutes ago, the hidden CCTV in Alina's room displayed very clear images. Daniel hugging Alina tightly, happy because his wife was truly pregnant.Margaret had been watching since Linda—her paid servant—sent a message that Dr. Ross had arrived in a hurry.Something must have happened.And Margaret didn't want to miss anything.She heard everything.Every word Daniel said. Every diagnosis from Dr. Ross. Every detail of the examination.And when Dr. Ross announced the test results—Alina was pregnant.Margaret froze.The wine glass in her hand almost fell."No," Margaret whispered in a voice trembling between shock and rage. "THAT WOMAN CAN'T BE PREGNANT!"The image of Daniel laughing with a voice of victory full of euphoria filled her head. A sense of panic immediately filled her chest."This should never have happened!"Margaret closed the laptop hard while clenching her fists."That wo
Dr. Ross arrived twenty minutes later with a medical bag in hand and a face that looked panicked.The middle-aged woman stepped into Alina's room with tense posture—shoulders slightly hunched as if carrying an invisible burden.Daniel stood beside the bed where Alina lay with eyes closed. Her breathing was short and irregular after the exhausting vomiting episode."Dr. Ross," Daniel greeted in a voice still full of urgency but more controlled. "Thank you for coming."Dr. Ross nodded while placing the medical bag on the bedside table."Mr. Blackwood," she answered in a professional tone but with tension in her voice. "What happened?"Daniel explained quickly—Alina hadn't eaten for almost twenty-four hours, vomited heavily when smelling food, drastically declining physical condition, and the suicide attempt a few days ago.Dr. Ross listened while taking out a stethoscope and blood pressure monitor from her bag.Her eyes occasionally glanced at Alina with an expression that was hard to r
Anger crept up Daniel's spine."Alina tried what?" His voice dropped, low and dangerous. "Say it."Mrs. Helen bowed her head. Her hands trembled. "Mrs. Alina... yesterday, she tried to hurt herself, Sir. With a small knife from the food tray. But I arrived in time. Just a shallow cut. I cleaned and bandaged it. Not deep—"BANG!Daniel slammed the table until the lamp on it wobbled.Mrs. Helen flinched. She covered her mouth with trembling hands."YOU!"Daniel turned. His movement was quick. His eyes sharply locked on Mr. Harris with anger no longer restrained."Why didn't I know about this? Why DIDN'T YOU REPORT IT?!"Mr. Harris stood upright. His back straight as usual, but his jaw hardened and his face lost color."I thought... it wasn't necessary to make you worried, Sir. Madam had been handled. The wound was small and already treated. Mrs. Helen also watched twenty-four hours without break. I thought the situation was under control, Sir.""YOU THOUGHT?!" Daniel stepped forward. Th
Mrs. Helen stood in front of Alina's bedroom mirror with trembling hands holding a comb.Alina sat in a chair with a posture as stiff as a doll. Her eyes stared blankly at the mirror but not really seeing her own reflection."Madam," Mrs. Helen whispered in a soft voice full of worry. "Mr. Daniel will be home this afternoon. Let me help you tidy up, okay?"No response. No reaction.Mrs. Helen took a trembling breath and began combing Alina's hair with very gentle movements—as if touching something very fragile that could break at any moment.Alina's hair, which used to be thick and shiny, now looked dull and fell out on the comb. Mrs. Helen felt her chest tighten seeing how many strands fell every time she combed."Madam is beautiful," Mrs. Helen whispered while braiding Alina's hair in a simple way. "Mr. Daniel will surely be happy to see Madam looking neat."Still no response.Mrs. Helen took some moisturizer and applied it gently to Alina's pale face. Her skin felt cold and dry und
Half an hour later, the bedroom door opened without a knock.Alina was still sitting on the floor, but had already wiped her tears. Her face was empty. Eyes red.Daniel stood in the doorway, looking at her with an unreadable expression. His gaze fell on the tray on the table—the lunch plate that wa
At seven in the evening, Junior's crying still hadn't stopped.That sound echoed throughout the mansion—raw, broken, desperate. Not the usual crying of a small child having a tantrum. This was deeper. Darker. Like something inside Junior had truly broken.Mrs. Helen stood outside Junior's room with
Day seven.Alina woke with a body that felt heavy. Not just physically tired—but a fatigue that seeped into her bones, permeated her soul, making every movement feel like swimming through mud.She stared at the bedroom ceiling that was becoming familiar with emptiness. No more foolish hope that thi
On the sixth day after the gala dinner, Alina woke to the sound of conversation in the corridor—familiar but unpleasant.Clarissa."...already very excited for today. I'll start with the morning routine, taking Junior to school, then picking him up..."Margaret's voice responded with warm approval.







