Chapter 2
Mark was totally caught off guard by Julia's reaction.
He'd expected her to cry, throw a fit, maybe even beg him to reconsider.
But instead, she was so cold and distant, like she was someone he barely knew.
He froze for a moment, then frowned, his tone tinged with irritation at being challenged.
"What are you making a fuss about? It's for our own good.
"The household expenses are high. With one less mouth to feed, we'll save plenty."
Julia looked at him like he was a pathetic clown putting on a show.
She didn't even want to say another word to him.
Every word that came out of his mouth just made her sick.
"Which orphanage did you send her to?"
Her voice was flat and lifeless, as cold and still as a dead lake.
Mark was irritated by her indifference.
"What's with that tone? I've been working hard to support this family, and you come back from your trip just to throw shade at me?"
He was trying to take the moral high ground.
Julia didn't even want to waste her time arguing with him.
She turned around, fetched her bag from the cabinet in the entryway, and began rummaging for her ID and household registration document.
She would bring Chloe home herself.
Seeing Julia ignore him completely, Mark, humiliated and furious, stormed over and grabbed her wrist.
"I'm talking to you! Did you hear me or not?"
Julia paused and looked up at him coldly.
Her gaze was icy, detached, and filled with undisguised disgust.
Mark felt a chill run through him, and without even realizing it, he let go of her wrist.
"Tell me the address."
Julia spoke again, word by word, sharp and measured.
"Why should I tell you?" Mark shot back, putting on his big man act. "I'm the man of this house, what I say goes. That kid should stay at the orphanage. It's best for everyone."
Julia didn't even bother to look at him.
She realized she would never get a straight answer from him.
She took out her phone, her fingers swiping rapidly over the screen.
She didn't call the police.
The cops would just call it a domestic dispute and try to smooth things over.
She dialed a number instead.
It was her best friend, Susan Miller.
The call connected right away.
"Sue, can you do me a favor?"
Julia's voice was calm as ever, but Susan could tell something wasn't right.
"Julia? What's wrong? Are you back from your trip? Why do you sound so cold?"
"I'll keep it short," Julia said, stepping out onto the balcony and sliding the glass door shut, blocking out Mark's angry glare. "Mark sent my daughter to an orphanage. I have no idea which one.
"You have good connections. Could you check the admission records for all orphanages in the city for girls taken in over the past five days?"
Susan went silent for a good three seconds.
Then she burst out, unable to hold back her anger.
"Is he even human? Hang tight, I'll find out right away!"
After hanging up, Julia stood on the balcony, gazing at the busy streets below.
The city was as lively as ever.
But her whole world had just been turned upside down.
Mark paced back and forth in the living room, as if deep in thought.
When he saw Julia finish her call, he came over to her.
"What, you think you can find her? Forget it, it's pointless."
He flashed a smug, cold smirk.
"I used my name for all the paperwork. Even if you manage to track her down, you won't be able to get her out without my sign-off."
He thought he had Julia completely at his mercy.
Julia looked at him and suddenly felt a little ridiculous.
How could she ever have thought this guy was reliable, someone she could trust with her whole life?
She ignored him and walked straight over to the couch, fixing her eyes on Ryan, who was pretending to watch the TV screen.
"Ryan."
Ryan stiffened.
"You know where Chloe was sent, don't you?"
Julia spoke softly, not putting any pressure on him.
Ryan shook his head like crazy.
"No! I don't know anything!"
His eyes darted away, afraid to meet Julia's gaze.
Julia crouched down to his eye level.
"Ryan, how have I treated you all this time?"
Ryan bit his lip, staying silent.
"Who walked three blocks to find you that superhero figurine you wanted?
"When you were sick last time, who stayed up all night by your side, taking care of you?
"And when your dad couldn't make it to your parent-teacher meetings, who always showed up for you?"
Julia's voice was gentle, but every word landed on Ryan's heart like a tiny hammer, one blow after another.
Ryan's eyes turned red.
"I just want to ask you one thing."
Julia locked eyes with Ryan, holding his gaze.
"That day, when your dad took Chloe out, did you see anything in his hands? Like a piece of paper, or a little booklet?"
Mark's face darkened, and he barked, "Julia! Don't scare him!"
Julia ignored him.
She kept her gaze locked on Ryan.
Ryan's lips trembled. As if making up his mind, he mumbled very quickly,
"In Dad's study, under the calendar on the desk, there's a yellow sheet of paper."
With that, he immediately buried his head in the couch cushions.
Julia stood up and gave Ryan a deep look.
Then she turned and walked toward the study.
Mark's face went ghostly pale. He rushed over, trying to block her way.
"What are you doing? Get out of there!"
But it was too late.
Julia had already stepped into the study and quickly locked the door behind her.