Chapter Two

The next morning, I was woken by laughter coming from downstairs.

Aria was sitting on Daphne's lap, looking through a storybook.

"Daphne Mommy, look! Her golden hair is so pretty, just like yours!"

"When you grow up, you'll be a beautiful little princess too."

I stood at the top of the stairs, quietly watching them.

The moment Aria noticed me, her smile disappeared.

"Good morning, sweetheart."

She gave me a halfhearted response before hugging Daphne again.

"Let's go water the flowers in the backyard," she said.

Daphne glanced at me.

"Shouldn't you spend a little time with your mom first?"

"No. I want to be with you."

I didn't stop them as they walked away. I simply held on to the stair railing and waited for the pain in my chest to slowly subside.

Over the years, I had indeed spent too much time managing the gallery and the family's businesses. Whenever I tried to make up for the time I had missed with Aria, Garrick and Daphne always found a way to make me look like the person ruining everyone's mood.

"Go ahead."

I forced a faint smile.

"Just don't get your dress dirty."

As I watched them leave, I reached for the railing to steady myself.

Medication could temporarily suppress the physical pain, but nothing could cure the truth that my daughter was slowly drifting away from me.

In the dining room, Garrick was reviewing the group's morning business briefing.

I sat across from him and placed a folder on the table.

"I want to take care of transferring my personal assets."

He opened the folder. As his eyes moved over the documents inside, his expression gradually changed.

"You're giving up your inheritance rights, personal trust, and every asset registered under your name?"

"Yes."

"Vivian, why?"

I took a slow sip of water.

"The hotel security records. The surveillance footage of you and Daphne entering and leaving private residences together. And the fact that she's been having Aria call her Daphne Mommy."

I paused.

"There's too much to explain."

His expression stiffened.

"You really think I don't know anything?"

"Vivian, it's not what you think."

"Then tell me what it really is."

He fell silent.

"I used to think that if I told you how much your actions were hurting me, you would stand by my side. But you knew perfectly well what was happening, and you still refused to do anything that might upset Daphne."

"Don't bring that up right now."

"I'm not trying to start another argument. I've simply stopped pretending that nothing ever happened."

I took another document out of the folder and placed it in front of him.

"I also want to transfer all my shares in Voss Holdings to Daphne. That includes ownership, voting rights, and control over the company's operations and management."

Garrick shoved his chair back and shot to his feet.

"Those shares are worth more than a billion dollars!"

"I know."

"You're handing her the entire company?"

I looked out the window.

In the garden, Daphne was gently fixing Aria's hair.

"If giving her everything will make all of you happy, then so be it."