Chapter 170

Chapter 170
Kathy's POV

I stood in the corner, clutching Lily's hand tightly, scanning the entire ballroom. Everyone was dressed in beautiful clothes, but I was looking for just one person.

Mom.

"Kathy, have you seen Mommy?" Lily asked.

"No," I answered softly, feeling my eyes begin to heat up. "Maybe Mom never planned to come at all?"

In the distance, I saw Emma standing with a group of adults. She pretended to smile, but I could feel her tension. Her hand kept checking her phone, and suddenly her expression changed.

"Lily," I tugged at her sleeve, "I think something's wrong. Dad hasn't come either."

Lily said excitedly, "Does that mean Dad won't have to marry Emma?"

"I don't know."

---


Elena's POV

Morning light filtered through the small window of Richard's private property, where he kept his hunting dogs.

"Breakfast!" a gruff voice called out.

The door opened, and a staff member brought in a bowl of oatmeal and two eggs.

"Eat up," he sneered. "The boss says we need to fatten you up for the dogs. Hear that? You're dog food now."

I didn't respond, standing silently by the window, gazing at a corner of Richard's vast private territory.

I barely noticed the man's taunts, my thoughts still lingering on yesterday's revelation. Richard had erased his memories of the past few months, yet retained the cold, hard facts of our marriage and children.

Distant barking pulled me from my thoughts. The pack of dogs suddenly became agitated, indicating a visitor's arrival.

I rushed to the window, watching a black Bentley drive up the mountain road.

My fingers gripped the windowsill tightly. Richard was coming.

I quickly returned to the table, picking up my bowl and pretending to eat. My heart raced as I heard footsteps approaching.

"Where is she?" Richard's icy voice echoed throughout the building.

"Upstairs, sir. We've been providing her with plenty of food as you instructed."

"But she's too thin, it'll take several months to fatten her up enough for the dogs," the worker added with a laugh.

I froze, spoon suspended in midair. Was he serious about feeding me to the dogs? The Richard I knew was cruel, but not... this cruel.

The footsteps grew closer. Then the door opened.

Richard's powerful presence immediately filled the entire room. I kept my gaze fixed on my bowl, pretending to eat.

"You... hello," I stammered awkwardly, trying to sound casual.

"Don't try to get friendly with me," he snapped.

I fell silent, continuing to eat my porridge.

Richard kicked a chair over and sat down, his gaze never leaving me.

"How did you escape in the first place?" he demanded.

I looked up, deciding honesty was my best option. "The obstetrician helped me. She was my friend."

Richard frowned: "Obstetrician?"

"Yes," I explained calmly. "After everything that happened, she knew I wouldn't be happy if I returned to your family, so she helped me escape."

Hearing the words "wouldn't be happy," Richard's expression hardened, his brows furrowing deeply.

"Then why did you come back this time?" Richard taunted, his voice dripping with contempt. "You didn't dare show your face for six whole years, so don't tell me you suddenly grew a backbone because you heard about my engagement ceremony with Emma."

I nearly choked on my breakfast, the food lodging in my throat. Taking a moment to compose myself, I couldn't help but think how ridiculously self-centered he was. The way he'd cornered me at the house yesterday had been exactly like this—all accusations and venom.

A strange ache formed in my chest despite my best efforts to ignore it. "You're overthinking things," I managed to say. "I just came to see the children."

"See the children?" Richard's voice turned razor-sharp. "What for? You didn't raise them. What connection do you possibly have to them?" Hostility radiated from every word.

I struggled internally, reminding myself that this man had no memories of what happened between us before. The Richard who had begun to soften toward me was gone, replaced by this cold, hateful stranger.

I set down my sandwich and took a sip of water to clear my throat. Straightening my spine, I looked directly into his eyes.

"You're right," I admitted. "I did hear about your engagement to Emma. But I'm here for the children, Richard." I paused, gathering my courage. "Could we possibly discuss an arrangement? Maybe the children could stay with me?"

Richard's laugh was sharp and bitter.

"Elena, have you completely lost your mind? You actually have the audacity to come back and try to take my children from me?"

"That's not what I meant," I hurried to explain. "I just thought I could help. You'll be getting married soon, having your own children. I could take some of the burden—"

"Burden?" he snarled, cutting me off. "Stop with the act. I can smell the lies in every word." His nostrils flared slightly, and I realized he was literally scenting my fear.

He continued, his voice dropping dangerously low. "Six years without a single word, and now you waltz back in expecting to play mother? You're nothing but a traitor to this family."

The word 'traitor' sliced through me like a physical blow.

"My children will always be under my care. I don't need your help, and they certainly don't need you."

My face paled, each word cutting deeper than the last. Still, I forced myself to focus on the reason I'd come back.

"Please," I pleaded, "at least let me see them. I'm their mother, Richard."

He was already walking toward the door, his back to me. I scrambled to my feet and reached for his arm.

"Elena. Stay away from my children!"

He slammed the door shut, leaving me to collapse back into the chair, utterly defeated.

---

Around two or three in the afternoon, the dogs suddenly erupted into barking. A sleek black car was making its way up the gravel path.

The guard rushed outside, his voice carrying through the open window. "Who are you? Who authorized you to enter this area? Do you know what this place is?"

"Isn't this just Richard's dog kennel? Can't I come here?" a familiar voice responded.

I peered through the window, seeing Jason step out of his car.

The guard took a step back, recognizing him. "I'm sorry, Mr. Cooper, I didn't know it was you."

The door swung open with force.

"Goddammit!" Jason exploded. "You really are locked up here? Have you completely lost your mind? Coming back now, of all times?"

I endured his tirade silently for nearly five minutes. Despite his harsh words, I could sense no malice.

"Come on," he finally ordered. "Let's get out of here before that asshole returns."

"Where are we going?" I asked hesitantly.

"Away from here, of course. Do you really want to be locked up by that bastard forever? Let me tell you, he doesn't remember anything now. He might actually feed you to the dogs one of these days."

"How did you know I was here?" The question had been bothering me since he arrived.

Jason gave me a look that suggested I was being particularly dense. "Kathy told me. That kid saw you being taken away by her dad on the surveillance footage, so she called me."

My heart stopped. "Kathy contacted you?"

"Yes, smart kid. Let's go now."

Previously, I had been hesitating about whether to stay and continue fighting Richard for the children.

But now knowing where they were, perhaps I could take them away directly.