Chapter 2

The words had barely left my mouth before everyone in the living room froze.

My mother-in-law spoke up fast. "Fiona, what's that supposed to mean?"

"I'm the child's grandmother. I sent her off to toughen up a little. What's wrong with that?"

She stared at me, her face full of fury.

Even the younger brother's wife jumped in with a cold little laugh. "We only came over for one visit. There's no need for you to act like this, is there?"

And my mother-in-law kept those cold eyes on me. "I brought your brother-in-law and his family here, and this is how you treat us?"

"Look at yourself. You've only got the one daughter. But your brother-in-law, he's the one who's earned his place in this family. He gave me a big, healthy grandson!"

"And I've already told Brad, everything we've got is going to your nephew someday!"

Listening to her, I let out an angry laugh.

I couldn't be bothered to keep talking to her anymore.

She should take a good look at herself. If it weren't for me, Brad wouldn't have any of the standing he has now.

On top of that, back when Brad wanted to marry me, he signed an agreement with me first.

All these years I'd worked hard so our family would be better off.

And Brad?

He never lifted a finger.

But the moment his mother made one phone call, he'd agree to anything.

I'd assumed the most Brad would do was hand over some money. What I never expected was that this whole family already had their eyes on my property.

And now they'd even shipped my daughter off.

At that point I couldn't hold the anger down any longer.

I fixed my cold gaze on the woman in front of me. "You're going to tell me right now where Yanni is!"

"And if you won't, you'll tell me once the police get here!"

A trace of chill crept over her face as she listened. "Fiona, what's that supposed to mean?"

"I'm your mother-in-law. Is this how you speak to me?"

"How can you upset Mom like this?"

The younger brother spoke up right away. "I'm calling my brother right now!"

And he called Brad, right there in front of me.

The call connected quickly. He explained the situation, then looked over at me.

"My brother says you're blowing this out of proportion. She's plenty old enough. What's wrong with going out to toughen up a little?"

I kept my face cold and said nothing to any of them.

I knew Brad would call me the moment he hung up.

Sure enough, only a few minutes later, my phone rang. It was him.

"Fiona, are you done making a scene?"

"My mom is Yanni's own grandmother. What could she possibly do to her?"

"She's just gone to toughen up a bit. What's so bad about that?"

The second the call connected, there was an edge of impatience in his voice. "It's not easy for my mom and my brother to come visit, and this is how you treat them?"

"When the police get here, you tell them it's all a misunderstanding!"

The impatience in his voice only grew.

I heard him out and let out a cold laugh. "Brad, my business is none of yours to manage!"

"And another thing, this is my house. I have every right to throw them out!"

"They barged into my home for no reason and took my daughter away. I have every right to sue them too!"