CHAPTER 41 — A FATHER'S FIGHT Kelvin’s fists drummed against the cold iron gate, heart hammering like a war drum. Where is Diana? he muttered under his breath, eyes scanning the streets as if she might appear out of nowhere. Where is she? Why is she taking so long? Each second dragged like an eternity, and his patience—already stretched thin—was fraying fast.He had called her. Repeatedly. Urgently. She was supposed to come, supposed to be the one to help him cut through the bureaucracy, to get their daughter out. But now… she was nowhere in sight. And his worry for Mia, their little girl, twisted inside him like a knife.“Diana! Where are you?” he whispered, voice rough with tension, pacing the small perimeter outside the foster care gate. The streetlights cast shadows across his tense features, highlighting the clenched jaw, the eyes wide with anxiety. She better be okay… she better not be…Anger prickled along the edges of his worry. Why isn’t she here? He had trusted her to act q

CHAPTER 43 — CROSSROADS OF FIRE Kelvin laughed. A low, dark laugh that rolled through the street like a storm warning. It was that kind of laugh—the kind that made people pause, unsure if the man in front of them was utterly unhinged or dangerously calm. Everyone froze. Diana’s eyes narrowed. Harry blinked. His mother clutched his arm, trembling, unsure whether to run or stay. And Mia… Mia’s green eyes widened, staring at him like he’d just grown another head. “Baby,” Kelvin said softly, voice steady now, almost affectionate, like a hand over her tiny heart. He crouched slightly, lifting her from the moment of shock and gripping her hand lightly. “Let’s go inside.” Mia blinked, hesitating. She wanted to look at her mother. Wanted to ask questions. But Kelvin’s eyes—calm but firm—stopped her. He turned her gently, shielding her from the gaze that had begun to cut at her chest like shards of glass. “Kevin—wait!” Diana’s voice cut through the tension, urgent, almost pleading. She bol

CHAPTER 45 – THE MAID’S LOYALTY Joyce’s words still burned in the air, hanging like sparks after an explosion. “I refuse!” she had shouted, eyes blazing, chest heaving. The chandelier shook slightly as if even the house itself bristled at her rebellion. Mr. Arizona had said nothing more—just slammed his fist one final time, declaring in his thunderous voice: “Then you are no daughter of mine until you obey.” That was the end of dinner. That was the end of everything. Joyce stormed out of the dining room, fury in her blood, humiliation searing her cheeks, tears stinging at the corners of her eyes—but she would never let them fall where her father or Lola could see. The sound of her heels clattered against the marble stairs like a war drum. By the time she collapsed into her bedroom, she was shaking. Rage. Fear. Desperation. It was all there, choking her. She pressed her fists against her lips to keep the scream in. --- The door creaked open. “Miss Joyce?” a soft voice broke thr

CHAPTER 46 – RUNAWAY HEATThe car sliced through the night like a bullet. Gravel scattered behind them, the mansion shrinking in the distance, swallowed by shadows. Joyce’s heart hammered so violently it hurt. Her breaths came in short, ragged bursts, fogging the window as the streetlights streaked past.She pressed her hands into the leather seat, still trembling. “Faster,” she hissed, voice sharp, almost breaking. “Do you hear me? I said faster.”The driver didn’t answer. But she could feel it—the weight of his gaze flickering over her every few seconds, sneaking glances like he couldn’t help himself.It clawed at her nerves.Her head snapped toward him. “What the fuck are you looking at?”The man’s eyes darted back to the road, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. His voice was deep, steady, but strained. “Nothing.”“Better,” she muttered, folding her arms, glaring out the window like the city lights could shield her from everything she’d left behind.But even as she tried to

CHAPTER 48 — AT KEVIN’S DOORThe night air bit through Joyce’s thin cardigan as she climbed the porch steps, her heart pounding harder than it should’ve. Each knock on the wooden door felt heavier than the last — not just from exhaustion, but from the fear of what she was about to do.Running away had felt brave in the moment. Now it just felt… stupid.Her fingers tightened around her bag strap. Maybe he wasn’t home. Maybe she should just turn around, find a cab, and pretend none of this ever happened—The door opened.Kevin stood there, framed by the warm light spilling out from inside. His shirt sleeves were rolled up, hair slightly tousled, like he’d just finished doing something ordinary — washing dishes, maybe, or helping Mia with homework.The kind of man who looked good doing anything.“Joyce?” His brows furrowed, confusion lacing his voice. “It’s late. What are you doing here?”Her throat felt dry. “I—uh—had nowhere else to go.”The words came out smaller than she wanted. She