The blood in my body surged straight to my head. My chest heaved violently as I snapped, “Payton, are you insane?!”
His expression remained calm, almost gentle. “Delane, as long as you cooperate, nothing will happen. Listen to me—children aren’t something we’re short on, right?”
I was shaking all over.
Ruddy, my brother—he was the one who had once fought side by side with Payton to build his family’s company.
Seven years ago, when Payton had just inherited the Frohlichs Industries and the company was on the verge of bankruptcy, it was Ruddy who used our family’s network to stabilize his position, one step at a time.
Later, when I was kidnapped, Ruddy charged into the hideout alone and carried me out. I’d clung to him in tears that day, believing this man—Payton—was worth my whole heart.
When we dated, he showered me with love, indulging in grand and romantic gestures. I’d truly believed he was a man of loyalty.
And yet now, for Sherree’s sake, he had rammed my car, stopped me from going to court, and threatened my brother’s life—without a shred of shame.
Tears stung my eyes, spilling over with the heat of my rage. “Payton, you ungrateful, treacherous coward!”
He only sighed, taking my hand as if to calm me. “Delane, I love you. I respect your brother. But Sherree… She’s the only family I have left.”
He tried to reassure me. “She’s been locked up for days now. She knows she was wrong. This time, it’s real—she won’t do it again.”
Real?
I didn’t believe a word.
It would be the same as always—barely a slap on the wrist.
I thought of all the times over the years Sherree had tried to destroy my life.
She had threatened to take her own life to make Payton cancel our dates.
When I was pregnant, she rammed my belly, trying to make me miscarry.
The day I went into labor, she locked herself in a bathtub and slit her wrists, forcing him to leave me at the hospital…
Every time, Payton’s excuse was the same.
“Sherree is just immature. She has no parents. I’m the only family she has left, so she acts a little too far. I’ll teach her properly.”
But she never saw him as just a brother. What kind of sister would even drug herself and try to get into his bed?!
A month ago, I’d finally had enough. I’d taken our daughter and headed for the airport, determined to fly abroad. But before the plane could take off, Payton had rushed in to stop the flight.