Part 2Beyond the Smoke

I didn't turn around. My own voice was unnervingly calm. "Just now."

Anton let out a quiet sigh of relief.

He stepped forward, pulling me into his arms, his voice a low whisper in my ear. "Elara, I'll come to you tonight. I've thought of you every single night for these past three years."

I didn't move, didn't respond.

He must have sensed my coldness, because his voice became cautious. "Elara, what's wrong? Aren't you happy I'm back?"

I was about to push him away when a delicate female voice cut through the air.

Seraphina coughed into her hand. "Oh, sister-in-law, you're here. My health is so poor, that's the only reason my brother came to check on me. Please, don't get the wrong idea."

At the sound of her voice, Anton immediately released me. The concern in his eyes was unmistakable. "The wind is strong out here. What are you doing outside?"

Seraphina stepped toward us. "I heard your wife's voice, so I wanted to come and say hello. Please don't mind him, sister-in-law. He's always been a worrier. He took care of me personally for the last three years, it's just instinct now."

She wore a mask of sincerity.

I looked at her pale face. "The Vance family can afford to feed another mouth. But we don't shelter vipers."

Her smile froze. Anton's brow furrowed, his voice a low growl. "Elara! She's my sister, which makes her your sister too. Watch your mouth."

I gave him a cool glance. "I've always been abrasive, haven't I?"

His jaw worked, but before he could retort, Seraphina leaned weakly against the doorframe, her voice trembling with hurt. "Sister-in-law, I know you hate me, but I never wanted to take anything from you… I'm just… I'm so weak, I need my brother to look after me…"

"He's been by my side day and night. I understand why you're angry. If you don't like me here… I'll just leave."

With that, she turned and staggered away.

Anton shot me a furious glare and immediately chased after her. "Sera, don't run! Your body can't take the strain! I'm in charge of the Vance family now, you don't have to listen to a word she says! Sera!"

The two of them disappeared around the corner of the courtyard.

Just as Seraphina turned the corner, my son, Leo, came toddling out, running right into her legs.

Seraphina cried out, her foot slipped, and she crumpled to the ground.

Anton knelt and swept her into his arms. "Sera, are you alright?"

She lifted the hem of her skirt. A gash on her shin was bleeding freely.

Rage contorted Anton's face. He whirled on Leo. "Who told you to run around like that! Get out of my sight!"

Leo burst into tears. "Mama… I want my mama…"

I rushed forward, pulling him into my arms and kneeling to soothe him. "It's okay, Leo, Mommy's here. Don't cry, it wasn't your fault. Don't be scared, Mommy's got you."

The nanny who had been chasing him finally caught up, breathless. "First Lady, the young master was crying for you, I couldn't stop him…"

My voice was ice. "It's fine. It's not your fault. The staff in this house usually know how to watch where they're going."

Anton's voice was a cold accusation. "Is this how you raise our son? No wonder he's so unruly!"

Seraphina leaned against Anton, her voice faint. "Brother, Leo is just a child, don't scare him… I only fell and bled a little. I'm used to being hurt." Then she looked up at me, her eyes filled with a tragic sorrow. "Sister-in-law, it was my fault. You were right to scold me. I wasn't looking where I was going and ran into the young master. I'll apologize to him."

She struggled to get up from Anton's arms, crying out in pain at the slightest movement.

Anton's face filled with anguish. He scooped her up. "What are you apologizing for? If anyone's to blame, it's me. I'm his father, and I failed to teach him properly."

He looked at me and Leo with cold eyes. "Leo, I wasn't here to raise you. But Elara, as his mother, you bear the most responsibility! I can't trust you to raise him alone. You'll only teach him your bad habits. Now that Sera is here, she can help. She's well-mannered, gentle, and kind. She can teach Leo to be a good man."

My voice was dangerously low. "What are you saying?"

Anton's expression was grim. "I'm saying Leo will be raised by Sera from now on. You can go back to being the First Lady of the Vance Syndicate."

"In your dreams!" I spat.

Anton's tone was absolute. "I am the head of this family. I have that right. More importantly, Leo is my son. As his father, my right is absolute."

He set Seraphina down and roughly grabbed Leo. "A man takes responsibility for his actions. He must be punished."

"Now, you will kneel and apologize to your Aunt Sera!"

He pressed down on Leo's small shoulders, trying to force him to his knees…