Chapter 10
Three years had passed since I’d built my empire from the ashes of betrayal. Johnson Holdings dominated Wall Street, and I’d become the ruthless businesswoman everyone feared and respected.
But loneliness was a different kind of enemy.
That’s when I met Enzo at a charity gala.
“You don’t trust easily, he’d observed on our third dinner, watching me dissect every word he said.
“Trust is a luxury I can’t afford,” I’d replied
But somehow, he broke through my walls. His patience, his understanding of loss–created a bond I thought I’d never allow again.
When I finally said yes to his proposal, it wasn’t about love conquering all. It was about finding someone who understood that broken people could still build something beautiful together.
Our daughter Iris was born two years later. Holding her tiny fingers, I felt something I thought had died with Sophie–hope. Pure, uncomplicated hope.
Enzo was everything Kevin hadn’t been. Present. Devoted. He changed diapers at 3 AM without complaints, built elaborate fairy tale castles in our backyard, and never once made me feel like motherhood was my burden alone.]
For the first time in years, I allowed myself to be vulnerable. To trust. To love without calculating the cost.
I should have known better
My five year–old daughter burst into tears the moment she got home. She begged me not to make her go back to Oak Lane Academy
She was too scared to tell me why. Just kept shaking and crying.
“Mommy, please don’t make me go back to school,” she sobbed, clinging to my legs like her life depended on IL]]
My blood turned to ice. The familiar dread I’d felt years ago with Sophie came rushing back
My gut told me something was wrong. When I checked her body. I found tiny puncture wounds all over her arms and chest.
History was repeating itself, and this time, I wouldn’t let anyone hurt my child.[]
