Chapter 1

“Wait!”

The wet nurse had just stepped over the threshold when she froze in place. She looked back with a smile still on her face, but I caught the flicker of panic in her eyes.

At the doorway, Eleanor Quinn’s trusted housekeeper, Mrs. Zane, shot her a quick warning glance.

The wet nurse immediately plastered on a warm smile and took two hesitant steps back. “Ms. Shaw, the marquis and his wife are waiting in the main hall. They’re eager to meet the little heir. It’s a blessing for him.”

I gripped the edge of the bed. My nails were digging into the mattress.

A blessing?

It was a death sentence!

Until this moment, I had still been clinging to a shred of doubt.

Now, I believed the golden text almost completely. If the marquis and lady truly cared about my newborn, why would they have someone carry him outside moments after he was born?

Through clenched teeth, I repeated myself, “Bring me my baby.”

The smile on the wet nurse’s face stiffened. She glanced at Mrs. Zane again.

Mrs. Zane stepped forward. Her smile was polite but cold.

“Ms. Shaw, you’ve only just given birth. Your health comes first. The baby will only be shown to the marquis and lady before being brought right back. That’s the custom in every noble family.”

“I said, bring me my baby.”

Beside me, Ryan Wesley leaned over and took my sweat-soaked hand. “Evelyn, what’s wrong? Father and Mother only want to see their grandson. This is a happy occasion.”

I turned to look at him. He was still wearing the dark navy robe he had ridden home from the military camp in. Dust from the journey lingered between his brows.

The moment I met his eyes, tears welled up, threatening to spill over.

His smile slowly disappeared. “Why are you crying?”

I did not answer. I simply stared at him.

His grip on my hand tightened. “Bring her the baby.”

Mrs. Zane’s expression changed instantly. “The heir…”

“I said, bring her the baby.”

Her mouth snapped shut.

The wet nurse went pale. She dared not hesitate any longer. Hurrying back, she carefully placed the swaddled infant into my arms.

I lowered my gaze. His tiny face was wrinkled, his eyes were peacefully shut, and his lips were slightly parted. His breathing was so faint that it was barely more than a whisper. On his left wrist rested a small crimson birthmark, like a drop of blood.

My hands trembled.

Whether the golden warning was true or not, the stakes were too high to gamble with my son’s life.

“I’ll nurse him myself from today onward.”

Mrs. Zane blinked before forcing another smile. “Ms. Shaw, surely you jest. What noblewoman nurses her own child? If word gets out, people will think our household can’t even afford a wet nurse.”

“I’m feeding my own child. Why should outsiders have anything to say about it?”

“Ms. Shaw…"

“Or is it the marquis family’s rule that even a mother isn’t allowed to hold her own baby?”

Mrs. Zane was rendered speechless.

The wet nurse spoke up awkwardly. “I appreciate your kindness, Ms. Shaw, but Ms. Quinn…”

I lifted my eyes to meet hers.

She swallowed the rest of her sentence.

I turned toward Lily Abrams, who was standing beside my bed. She had come with me from the Shaw family as part of my dowry and had remained faithfully by my side ever since.

“Take my token and go to the Shaw residence. Invite my mother here. Tell her I’ve given birth and that her grandson is waiting to meet his grandmother.”

“Yes, Ms. Shaw.”

Lily turned around to leave.

Mrs. Zane immediately stepped in front of her.

“Ms. Shaw, you’ve only just delivered. Disturbing your mother at a time like this seems rather inappropriate…”

I cut her off, “Do I need the marquis family’s permission to invite my own mother to see her grandson?”

Mrs. Zane’s hand froze in midair. Lily slipped around her and hurried out.

Silence filled the room. The smile on Mrs. Zane’s face had all but vanished.

Then footsteps echoed from outside, and the door swung open.

Madam Quinn stood in the doorway with four older maids behind her.

Her gaze swept past everyone in the room before settling on the baby in my arms.

A smile spread across her face.

“Evelyn, it’s been rough for you.”

She walked toward me and held out her hands.

“Come now, let me hold my precious grandson.”