The next morning, the city was already buzzing with rumors. Elara could feel the tension even before she saw the news. When she walked into the living room, the television was on, the morning talk show replaying yesterday’s headlines.

KAELITH HEIR’S SECRET FAMILY?WHO IS ELARA WYNTER?

Her name was everywhere. Photos of her leaving the hospital with Caelen. Grainy images of her standing beside Dorian. Even a clip of the charity event years ago where she was in the background, barely visible, but now magnified and analyzed by strangers.

Her stomach twisted painfully.

She quickly grabbed the remote and turned off the TV before Caelen woke up. Her reflection on the black screen looked pale and exhausted.

She couldn’t hide anymore.

The knock on the door made her flinch. For a moment, she thought it was another journalist. But when she opened it, she found Alaric Veynar standing there, sharp in a dark suit, his expression unreadable.

“Miss Wynter,” he greeted politely.

Her hands clenched at her sides. “What do you want?”

“I’m here on behalf of Mr. Kaelith,” he said. “He asked me to ensure you and the boy are safe.”

Elara crossed her arms. “Safe? You mean contained.”

Alaric’s mouth curved slightly. “You misunderstand. Dorian is furious about the leak. He believes someone within the company sold the story. Until he finds them, he doesn’t want either of you unprotected.”

Her jaw tightened. “And what about when he does find them? What happens then?”

“That depends,” Alaric said smoothly. “But if you care for your son’s well-being, you’ll follow our instructions for now.”

She bristled. “Our?”

“The Kaelith family’s,” he replied, his tone calm but cold. “Public perception matters. You and the child are now part of that image, whether you like it or not.”

Her pulse quickened. “So you expect me to act like this is normal? To parade my son in front of cameras just to protect your empire?”

Alaric adjusted his tie. “I expect you to be smart. The Kaeliths protect what belongs to them. And make no mistake—Caelen is a Kaelith.”

Elara’s breath hitched. “Don’t you dare call him that.”

“Legally speaking, he already is,” Alaric said, unfazed. “His DNA ensures it. The sooner you accept that, the safer this transition will be for both of you.”

Her hands trembled, fury mixing with fear. “You talk about him like he’s property.”

Alaric gave a small, practiced smile. “Not property. Legacy.”

Before she could respond, Dorian’s voice echoed from the hallway. “That’s enough, Alaric.”

He entered the room, his expression sharp, eyes burning with restrained anger.

Alaric inclined his head. “Of course, sir.” He stepped back, retreating toward the door. “If you need anything, I’ll be in touch.”

When the door shut behind him, silence settled.

Elara turned on Dorian. “You sent him here? To threaten me?”

He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “He wasn’t threatening you, Elara. He’s doing his job.”

“His job is to remind me that I have no control!” she snapped. “That you can just walk back into my life and dictate everything again.”

Dorian’s gaze softened, but his voice stayed steady. “That’s not what I’m trying to do.”

“Then what are you trying to do?” she demanded. “Because from where I’m standing, you’re dragging us back into the same nightmare I ran from.”

He took a step closer. “I’m trying to protect you both.”

“By making decisions behind my back?”

“By keeping you alive!” he shot back, his tone suddenly raw. “You think this is about publicity? Someone leaked confidential medical and legal documents, Elara. That’s not gossip—that’s sabotage.”

Her breath caught. “Sabotage?”

He nodded grimly. “Someone inside my circle wants to destroy me. They’re using you and Caelen to do it. If I don’t control the story, they will.”

She went silent, the weight of his words sinking in.

Finally, she whispered, “Who would do that?”

Dorian’s expression hardened. “I have a few ideas.”

*******

By midday, they were at the Kaelith Tower. Dorian had insisted on bringing them there, “for safety,” he said. But as Elara stepped into the gleaming marble lobby, she felt like she was stepping into enemy territory.

Reporters waited outside the glass doors, cameras flashing like lightning. Security kept them back, but the noise followed them even into the elevators.

Caelen clung to her hand, eyes wide with awe as they rode to the top floor. “It’s like a castle,” he whispered.

Elara forced a smile. “A very loud one.”

When the elevator doors opened, Lysandra Deyne was waiting. She looked perfect, as always—hair glossy, dress flawless, smile cold.

“Well,” she drawled. “So it’s true. You’re really back.”

Elara’s spine stiffened. “Not by choice.”

Lysandra’s gaze flicked to Caelen. “And this must be the famous child everyone’s talking about.”

Dorian stepped in front of them, his tone sharp. “Enough, Lysandra.”

She tilted her head. “Relax, darling. I’m just saying hello.”

Her eyes slid past him, landing on Elara again. “You always did have a talent for appearing at the worst possible moment.”

Elara’s fingers clenched, but she said nothing. Dorian led her and Caelen past without another word.

When they entered his office, Elara let out a shaky breath. “Why is she even here?”

“She’s part of the board,” Dorian said tightly. “She won’t be for much longer.”

Elara crossed her arms. “You still keep her close, though.”

“That’s business,” he replied.

She gave him a look. “It used to be more than that.”

His jaw tensed. “Not anymore.”

Before she could argue, a soft beep sounded from the intercom. Alaric’s voice came through. “Sir, the board is waiting.”

Dorian turned to her. “Stay here. Don’t open the door for anyone but me.”

“Dorian.....”

“I mean it, Elara.” His eyes softened. “Please. Trust me just this once.”

He left before she could respond.

Elara sank onto the sofa, trying to steady her heartbeat. Caelen climbed beside her, resting his head on her shoulder. “Mom?”

“Yes, baby?”

“Are we in trouble?”

Her throat tightened. “No. Not trouble. Just… a mess.”

He frowned. “Is it because of me?”

She turned quickly. “No! Never think that, Cael. This isn’t your fault.”

He nodded, though he didn’t seem convinced.

They sat in silence for a while, until Elara’s curiosity got the better of her. She stood and wandered to the edge of the office, where the city stretched endlessly below. Her reflection in the glass looked small, fragile.

And yet, a flicker of defiance glowed in her chest.

They might have power, money, and influence, but she had something none of them did: a reason to fight.

The door suddenly burst open. Dorian stormed in, his face pale.

Elara rushed forward. “What happened?”

“They’re turning against me,” he said, voice tight. “The board wants an explanation. Some of them think I used the company to cover the surrogacy. They’re demanding I step down.”

Her stomach dropped. “Can they do that?”

“They can try,” he said darkly. “Riven’s already stirring things up. He’s been whispering to shareholders for weeks.”

Elara froze. “Riven?”

“Yes. He wants control of the company. This leak gives him the perfect excuse.”

She swallowed hard. “So this is all connected.”

Dorian nodded grimly. “He’s using you and Caelen as weapons.”

Caelen, who had been quietly listening, looked up. “Uncle Riven doesn’t like you?”

Dorian knelt beside him, his voice softening. “He used to. But sometimes, people change when they want something too badly.”

Caelen frowned, confused. “Like toys?”

Dorian smiled faintly. “Exactly like toys.”

Elara’s heart twisted as she watched them. For the first time, she saw how much Dorian was trying, how much he had already lost.

“Dorian,” she said quietly. “Maybe we should leave. Go somewhere safe until this is over.”

He shook his head. “If you disappear now, they’ll use that as proof I’m hiding something. No. I have to face them head-on.”

Elara hesitated. “And if they win?”

He looked up at her, eyes burning. “Then I lose everything. But I won’t lose you again.”

Her breath caught.

Before she could answer, his phone buzzed again. He glanced at it—and his face went white.

“What is it?” she asked.

He turned the screen toward her. A new headline glowed on the display.

EXCLUSIVE: INSIDE THE SURROGACY THAT BROKE THE KAELITH DYNASTY.

Below it, a photo, her holding newborn Caelen in the hospital bed.

Elara’s blood ran cold.

“Who took that picture?” she whispered.

Dorian’s voice was barely a growl. “Someone who’s about to regret it.”

But as she stared at the screen, one thought echoed in her mind, louder than anything else.

The truth was out.