He threw me out on the street after inheriting 75 million, believing I was a burden. But when the lawyer read the final clause, his triumphant smile turned into a face of panic.

or not to answer. And then I heard the sound of footsteps—heavy, purposeful. Someone was coming up the stairs.

I moved instinctively, silently, as I stepped toward the door, my heart pounding in my chest. When I opened it, there stood Curtis, his suit disheveled, his eyes wide with desperation.

“Vanessa, please,” he said, his voice cracking. “You can’t continue reading …