Chapter 2

5:45 AM. City Hospital.

The sharp, sterile smell of bleach burns my nose as I step out of the elevator.

I am walking with my lead attorney, Bennett Hale. He is dressed in a razor-sharp suit, carrying a thick leather briefcase, and radiating absolute authority.

Down the brightly lit corridor, Dorian is putting on a masterclass in manipulation.

He is playing the exhausted, devoted father perfectly. Next to him, Nadia is dramatically holding an ice pack to her bruised face, leaning against the nurses' station.

"She keeps stealing from Camille," Nadia fake-sobs to the attending doctor, her voice trembling with manufactured grief. "Liora's mother was just a servant who died... she's a deeply troubled girl."

"I have the transfer order ready for a behavioral facility," Dorian adds smoothly. He slides a thick, legal document across the desk.

My blood boils. He isn't just trying to move her. He is trying to lock her away in a psychiatric ward to hide what he has done.

"Nobody is transferring my daughter."

My voice cracks like a whip through the quiet hallway.

Dorian snaps his head toward me. For a second, pure panic flashes in his eyes. But he quickly recovers, pointing a finger at me.

"Security!" Dorian shouts. "This intruder attacked my fiancee!"

Two heavy-set security guards immediately step forward, reaching for their radios.

"Actually," Bennett steps forward, his voice cutting through the noise like broken glass.

Bennett drops a massive, heavily stamped legal folder right onto the hospital administrator's desk.

"Mrs. Raina Calder is the sole legal owner of the estate you currently reside in," Bennett announces loud enough for the entire floor to hear. "Furthermore, she just wired five million dollars to this pediatric wing."

The administrator's eyes go wide.

"She has every right to be here," Bennett finishes coldly.

Dorian's jaw visibly tightens. The security guards look at the paperwork, look at Bennett, and immediately back away.

Money talks. And Dorian just realized he isn't the richest person in the room anymore.

I walk right up to Nadia. She shrinks back against the counter.

"A servant?" I say, my voice dropping to a deadly whisper. "You used to fetch my coffee. You live in my house."

I lean in closer, my eyes locking onto hers.

"If you ever call Liora a 'nanny's child' again, you will scrub public toilets with your toothbrush."

I push past their stunned faces and open the door to Liora's room.

The rhythmic hiss of an oxygen machine fills the space. Liora is sitting up in the massive hospital bed, a clear mask strapped to her tiny, pale face.

My heart shatters all over again.

I reach out to gently stroke her messy hair, but she immediately panics. She frantically wipes her little hands on her hospital gown, her eyes wide with sheer fear.

"Don't touch me, Mommy," she cries, her voice muffled and raspy beneath the mask. "Daddy said I have bad blood."

"Liora, no, you don't..." I whisper, choking back a sob.

She shakes her head furiously, tears spilling over her hollow cheeks.

"I have to be good," she babbles frantically. "Daddy said if I just go to sleep, I can save sister Camille. I won't cry, I promise..."

My breath completely catches in my throat.

Sleep? Save Camille?

Before the horrifying reality of her words can fully sink in, I lean over and pull her frail, trembling body tightly into my arms.

"You are Raina Calder's daughter," I whisper fiercely into her hair. "You don't have to save anyone."

Dorian steps into the doorway. His initial shock is gone, replaced by a mask of smug, arrogant control.

Bennett steps into the room and pulls me aside, lowering his voice so Liora can't hear.

"Raina, the donation bought us a few hours, but he is still her legal guardian," Bennett warns me, his expression grim. "A judge won't overturn a death certificate by sunrise. Legally, we are blocked."

Dorian smirks, overhearing the defeat in Bennett's voice. He leans against the doorframe, crossing his arms.

"Enjoy the reunion, Raina," Dorian says mockingly. "But my investors are wiring fifty million to my company at 9:00 AM. Once that clears, I have the resources to move her anywhere I want."

He gives me a chilling, victorious smile.

"I am transferring her, Raina."

I turn away from him. I gently wipe the tears from Liora's cheeks and press a soft kiss to her warm forehead.

Then, I look back at the man who destroyed my family.

"I'll see you, Dorian."