Vincent grabbed Claire’s wrist and dragged her downstairs before she could speak. His fingers dug hard into her wrist. Claire only frowned and made no move to fight back.

Natalie sobbed loudly in the living room. She dropped to her knees the second Claire walked in, her voice breaking completely.

“Claire, please let my son go! Take all your anger out on me. Why would you kidnap Leo?”

Claire froze, utterly confused.

“What are you talking about? I’ve been in my room this whole time.”

Vincent tightened his hold until his nails dug into her flesh. He ground his teeth in rage.

“Stop lying to me. Don’t make me do something drastic.”

She lifted her gaze to meet his. Her eyes held nothing but cold distance, as if she were staring at a stranger, and her tone was heavy with exhaustion.

“Do you really think so little of me? That I’m not someone you can trust?”

“Yes,” he snapped without hesitation. “This isn’t the first time you’ve acted out like this.”

“I told you Lily’s death was an accident. She was just taken too soon. Don’t drag innocent people into this because you lost our daughter. I’m asking you for the last time. Where have you hidden Leo?”

A faint, bitter smile tugged at Claire’s lips. Her voice stayed calm yet firm.

“I don’t know. I didn’t do this.”

Vincent held up his phone in the next second. The live video on the screen turned Claire’s blood cold. His men had forced Henry and Eleanor to the edge of a rooftop, perched on the edge of a rooftop, hundreds of feet above the ground. One wrong step would end their lives instantly.

Henry and Eleanor clung tightly to each other on camera. They wept uncontrollably, their bodies trembling in pure terror.

Claire’s hard-won calm broke apart in an instant. Her legs gave way, and she crumpled to the floor, begging hoarsely.

“Please spare my family. I already lost Lily. I can’t lose my parents too. I really didn’t hide Leo. Please believe me.”

Vincent’s chest ached at the sight of her despair. Irritability bubbled up inside him, and doubt crept into his mind for the very first time.

Could he have misjudged her?

Before he could make up his mind, the steward hurried inside with Leo in tow. He looked flustered and spoke with a shaky voice.

“Don, the young master was playing hide-and-seek with the staff. We searched everywhere before we found him.”

Natalie rushed over to pull Leo into her arms. She glanced at Vincent, still shaken, and apologized quietly.

“Vincent, this is my fault. I jumped to conclusions before finding out the truth…”

Vincent cut her off, putting on a stern, businesslike tone.

“This has nothing to do with you. None of this would’ve happened if she’d been honest from the start.”

He turned back to Claire and locked eyes with her. The empty, quiet look in her gaze pulled him in like a whirlwind, leaving him feeling unsteady and uneasy.

He stepped forward to wipe the tears from her cheeks, his tone softening.

“Enough of this. You share part of the blame too. If you’d talked things through earlier, I wouldn’t have resorted to threats. I’ll have my men send your parents home safely.”

He paused, then cupped her face, his voice growing even gentler.

“Don’t overthink this. You are the rightful Mrs. Vitelli, and no one can take that place from you. Stay by my side, and I’ll clear your father’s name on the Narcotics Trafficking Felony charges. I’m also giving you the Upper East Side Condo as compensation for your parents to live in.”

Leo tugged at his sleeve right then, his voice high and sweet as a child’s.

“Daddy, you promised to take Mommy and me on the Ferris Wheel tonight.”

Vincent darted a guilty look at Claire, awkward and flustered.

“I…”

Claire spoke evenly.

“Go on. Spend time with the boy.”

He frowned and studied her face, trying to tell if she meant her words.

He quickly convinced himself that she had surrendered. Her family was his leverage, and she had no choice but to comply.

After a short silence, he said softly.

“Wait for me here tonight. We’ll try for another child.”

Claire’s lips tugged upward as she watched him leave with Leo in one hand and Natalie tucked against his side. There was no real joy in her expression.

Her love for him was long gone. A child between them was impossible now.

She called a realtor right away and sold the Upper East Side Condo at a low price. She transferred every dollar from the sale straight to the law firm.

Mr. Foster called her soon after, his voice filled with joy.

“Claire, we won Henry’s case. The plaintiff took bribes to fabricate evidence for the Narcotics Trafficking Felony. Henry is fully exonerated.”

The call ended, and Henry’s number popped up on her screen. There was no anger or grief in his voice, only the calm relief of someone who had escaped disaster.

“Your mother and I are at the airport. We’re just waiting for you now.”

Tears of relief streamed down Claire’s face. She held back her overwhelming emotion and replied gently.

“I know, Dad. I’m on my way.”

She hung up, grabbed her packed suitcase, hailed a taxi outside, and headed straight for the airport.

She would never shed another tear for someone who did not deserve it. A brand new life waited ahead.