Chapter 3

The footsteps stopped at the door. Then came a series of knocks.

It was the secret knock pattern my mother and I always used. I froze.

A familiar, elderly voice called out softly, tinged with hesitation. "My lady? Are you in there?"

It was Grace. She had come with me from my family when I married. But Philip found her a nuisance and sent her back.

So what was she doing here now?

My hands trembled as I unlatched the door. And there she stood. Grace, her face worn and etched with hardship.

When Grace saw how disheveled I looked, her whole body shook, and tears streamed down her face.

She almost couldn't stand still as she cried. "Oh, look what they've done to you!"

My voice was rough with emotion. "Grace, why are you here?"

She wiped her tears. "Your mother was worried. She asked me to stay nearby. Just in case."

It was my mother again. My eyes stung.

Grace looked at the baby in my arms. Her eyes went wide, first with shock, then with quiet joy. "Is this your baby?"

I nodded. "Come inside."

I pulled her into the room and closed the door. Then I told her everything that had happened that night.

By the time I finished, Grace was shaking with anger. "That monster! And that woman, Claire. I hope they never know a moment's peace."

She looked at me, steady and fierce. "My lady, you're not alone anymore. I'm here now. I'll make sure you and this little one are safe."

For the first time in days, something warm stirred in my chest.

I wasn't alone in this fight.

I stared out at the sky as dawn broke, my eyes ice cold.

Philip. Claire. Every ounce of pain you gave me, I would return a hundred times over. A thousand.

This was the beginning of your torment.

*****

I spent the next three days recovering in that small cottage.

Grace found healing salves and fresh clothes for me. She brought nourishing food and watched over the baby and me as if we were her own.

My body slowly healed, but the wound inside me bled, day and night.

Every time I closed my eyes, I heard Philip's cold voice calling my son a bastard. I'd wake up drenched in sweat.

I named the baby Andrew. All I wanted for him was a new beginning. A life of peace.

Andrew was so good. He never cried or fussed. He stared at me with those big, curious eyes.

Every time I looked at him, I felt a strength I never knew I had.

I couldn't give up. I had to fight for him. For myself. I had to make things right.

On the third day, Grace brought news from outside.

The Hayes family had announced that I died from postpartum bleeding. They said the baby was too weak and followed me to the grave.

Philip held a lavish funeral for me. All the nobles and officials came to pay respects. Everyone praised him for being such a devoted husband.

He was erasing us. Sweeping Andrew and me from existence like we never happened.

He thought this would clear the way for his child with Claire to inherit everything.

What a fool.

I leaned back on the bed and looked at Grace calmly. "Where's everything my mother gave me before the wedding?"

Grace answered, "In the Hayes Manor storeroom, under the steward's care."

I snorted, "That's what my mother left me to survive."

I wouldn't let those two snakes touch a penny of it.

I reached under my pillow and pulled out a simple silver ring carved with my family crest. It looked plain, but it was everything.

It was the Stanton family seal, the key to every business we owned across the country. If I showed this ring, I held the power of the family head.

I placed it in Grace's palm. "Take this to the biggest Golden Exchange on the east side of town.

"Tell the shopkeeper I want a full list of every shop and estate in my name. Every single one. And I want it before dawn.

"Transfer everything to Andrew."