Chapter 2

After quietly taking it all in, Olivia wiped away her tears and was about to go get Lucas when, out of nowhere, the door burst open.

Olivia looked up to see Richard at the door, with Grace and Nina behind him, both loaded down with bags.

"After Michael passed away, Grace and Nina had nowhere else to go, so I brought them back with me," Richard said.

If this had happened before, Olivia would have naively thought Richard was trying to protect his late brother's wife.

But now, thinking about everything Richard had done behind the scenes made Olivia feel utterly disgusted.

She couldn't help but frown. "Even if the Foster family has fallen on hard times, they would never let Grace and Nina starve. And you're my husband; what right do you have to get involved with them? Don't you care about the rumors?"

Richard paused while sorting through the bags, arching his brow in disbelief, as if he couldn't believe these words were coming from Olivia.

"Olivia, Michael was my closest friend. Now that his wife and daughter are struggling, how could I ignore them?" Richard said.

Seeing the two of them about to argue, Grace flinched, her body tensing up. "Richard, Olivia does have a point. Nina and I really don't want to cause any trouble for you."

Behind Grace, Nina stood there, drooling a bit, her head tilted as she watched everything unfold.

Richard felt a pang in his chest, and his voice grew hard-edged and authoritative. "I'm the head of this household. If I say you're staying, then you're staying. Anyone who has a problem with that can get out."

Olivia knew those words were meant for her, and it was like her heart had been hollowed out.

The winter wind kept seeping into that emptiness, making it colder and more painful.

Her tone turned resolute. "Richard. Are you choosing me and Lucas, or them? If you let Grace stay here today, I'm taking Lucas and moving back to the Keane family."

"The Keane family?" Richard sneered, his expression dripping with contempt. "Do you really think you're still that high-and-mighty Ms. Keane? Your parents retired, and your brother took over the business.

"He made a disastrous investment in some land recently and lost millions. If Stone Enterprises hadn't stepped in to bail him out, the debt collectors would've eaten him alive by now."

"You!" Olivia was stunned, never thought Richard would stoop so low as to threaten her with this. Her voice softened. "Fine, what do you want from me?"

"Grace and Nina are staying here for a while. I've already sorted everything out. Lucas and Nina will be going to the same kindergarten soon; it'll help them bond," Richard replied.

So this was what Richard had been scheming all along. Olivia was so angry that her whole body trembled uncontrollably.

"I absolutely refuse to use my child for something like this!" she snapped.

Richard let out a cold laugh, shooting a look toward the doorway where Lucas had come in.

"You don't get a say in this," he said.

Just as Richard finished speaking, Nina suddenly shot out from behind Grace like a whirlwind. "Is this the husband Mr. Stone picked out for me?" Nina asked.

Lucas, who had walked in, was tackled to the floor by Nina, sending the toys in his backpack flying everywhere.

"Lucas!" Nina, who was nearly twice Lucas's size, pinned him down and tried to smother him with kisses.

Lucas was scared out of his wits, bawling his eyes out as tears poured down his cheeks. "Mommy! Save me."

Olivia's eyes were bloodshot with worry as she lunged forward to help, only to be blocked by Richard. "Richard, have you lost your mind? Lucas is a little kid."

Richard looked at Lucas with open disdain. "Seriously? A boy crying because a girl touched him? That's pathetic. Lock them in a room together and let them spend more time with each other; they'll get along eventually."

Olivia's heart nearly broke seeing Lucas's face covered in slobber. She lost it and tried to rush over, but the bodyguards blocked her way. "Mrs. Stone, please don't interfere with their bonding," one of the bodyguards said coldly.

Lucas was being grabbed by the bodyguards, crying and desperately reaching out to Olivia for help. "Mommy, I don't like Nina. Save me, please."

But Richard blocked Olivia. "It's normal for kids to feel awkward when they first meet. They'll warm up to each other soon."

Olivia nearly lost it, screaming hysterically. "What kind of bonding are you talking about? Nina's an idiot. Does she have the most basic human emotions?"

"I'm sorry. We don't belong here," Grace said. Her eyes reddened as she covered her face with a handkerchief and rushed out the door without looking back.

"Grace!" Richard shouted, starting to go after her. But as he reached the doorway, he paused, as if something had occurred to him. He turned to Olivia and barked, "Keep her locked up. Don't let her get in the way of the kids bonding."

"Yes," the bodyguard replied. With that, Olivia was struck hard from behind and blacked out instantly.