The little boy had clung to my hand, his bright eyes smiling, unaware he'd never see his mother again.
Since he turned one, he was poisoned three times, bitten by a snake, suffered broken ribs in a car accident, and nearly died from an allergy.
I protected him through endless brushes with death; how could I ruin his future?
My father stormed out. When Nathan returned, he found me sitting on the floor, tears falling endlessly.
He quietly picked me up, set me on the sofa, and handed me a towel to wipe my face.
He brought lemonade, held me close, and fed me spoon by spoon.
For a moment, it felt like eighteen years ago, when we truly cared for each other.
Back then, my mother had just died, and my father immediately married his mistress.
I was forced to kneel before her and call her "Mother," hiding in the attic, sobbing alone.
Nathan embraced me, gently wiping my tears and giving me water.
He held me, telling me he was there and asking me to believe in him.
A thirteen-year-old boy kneeling before his father, begging for my safety, using cooperation to prove my worth.
How could I not love such a boy?
The brief warmth shattered with a long sigh.
"Catherine, I won't leave you. It really was just an accident."
I clung to his neck, whispering through tears,
"Nathan, you know I can’t accept this. I don’t want to suffer like my mother."
"Nathan, what if we send them abroad? Can we support them forever?"
"Why didn’t you make her end the pregnancy? Why didn’t you tell me when you wanted children?"
After a long silence, Nathan spoke coldly,
"Charles Turner’s new energy project has its ribbon-cutting tomorrow. Get ready; you can’t be absent, or it’ll raise suspicion."
Watching his tall figure rise and leave, my heart crashed into darkness.
The next day, Nathan brought the dress I'd picked and the Queen’s necklace I’d bought in the US.
My secretary stood by, anxious.
I calmly changed and put on elegant makeup.
Nathan was right; the partnership couldn’t be damaged. My brother was still young, and I needed to reclaim everything my grandfather built.
The launch event was grand and bustling, with Crestville’s elite gathered.
Entering the manor, I was stunned to see Victoria Cross present as well.
She wore a moon-white evening gown, elegant and poised, radiating gentle maternal warmth.
Nathan stood beside her, his arm at her waist, greeting guests, while Victoria smiled softly and sweetly.