Chapter 4

The moment I got my phone back, the anxiety that had haunted me these past days finally eased.

No one knew the truth—that as the Bergs' adopted daughter, a pawn in their marriage alliance with the Seller family, I had actually found my biological parents three years ago.

Back then, I refused to go with them because I wanted to marry Austyn. They were reluctant but still respected my choice.

Before they left, they gave me a phone number. They said, "Rayne, if one day you're unhappy, we'll come get you anytime."

I never took those words seriously. But now, they were the only lifeline I had left.

Six months into Valda's pregnancy, she demanded to go abroad to rest.

Austyn hadn't planned on leaving so soon, but Valda never gave him peace. He couldn't stand it anymore and finally gave in.

Before leaving, he told me. "Rayne, I'll be back before our baby is born. I know I went too far this time. When Valda's situation is over, I'll make it up to you double."

Whatever he said, I just nodded.

Austyn stared at me for a long time, like he was trying to read something from my face. Only when Valda called him did he slowly look away.

He walked out slowly. Right before getting into the car, he suddenly turned back and ran to me, crushing me in his arms.

Austyn said, his voice carried a panic I had never heard before, "Rayne, I'm not leaving. Forget Valda's baby. I'm staying with you and our child."

When I heard that, my heart clench tight. But I stayed still, letting him hold me, and said calmly, "If you could really give up Valda, you wouldn't be Austyn.

"Stop testing me. Whether I'm mad or not, you're still going to leave."

I felt his body relaxed just a little, and secretly, so did I.

At Valda's impatient call, Austyn let go of me reluctantly.

Right before he got into the car, the housekeeper suddenly called after him. "Mr. Sellers, you should let Mrs. Sellers move upstairs. The room she's in now is way too damp."

Austyn hesitated, clearly unwilling. "Rayne, just stay in the guest room for now. Don't touch Valda's things. I don't want her upset when she comes back."

I only answered, "Alright."

It wasn't until his plane took off that I finally let out the laugh I had been holding in.

I stood in the big empty living room and laughed out loud.

The housekeeper saw my smile and couldn't help but beam too. She ordered the kitchen to make me my favorite steak.

I checked the time on my phone. Just twelve more hours until my real parents came to get me.

They had taken off in their private jet less than thirty minutes after my call.

And I had told them Austyn stationed a dozen bodyguards around me.

On the other end of the line, my father, Troy's voice carried a wild confidence. "Rayne, forget the Sellers. Even if there were a hundred of them, we wouldn't care.

"You're the only heir of our family. Everything will be yours when you come home."

I didn't know if the man I'd only met once was exaggerating, but his words still calmed my restless heart.

But before I could even finish my steak, Valda's parents barged in with Landon, Polly, and the Bergs.

They all looked down at me, faces filled with disdain and disgust.

Polly tossed divorce papers onto the table. "End the pregnancy, sign this, and we won't come after you."

Emily chimed in viciously, "If it were me, I'd make sure the whole world knew. I'd ruin her reputation completely. The Berg family really did raise a fine daughter, didn't they?"

My foster father, Franklin slapped me hard across the face. He snarled, "Useless girl, you'll pay for this."

The housekeeper tried to protect me but was pinned down.

I sat at the table, powerless, the weight of it pressing into my chest.

That day, I memorized every single expression on their faces.

I picked up the pen and signed my name. Before the abortion, I looked up and spoke up.