Chapter 4 The day of the trial. I appeared as the defendant. "In the matter of the vehicular incident, this court finds no fault on the part of the driver. The defendant, Tate Ashford, as legal guardian, failed to fulfill her duties. She is ordered to pay Calla and her father $100,000 in damages for vehicle repairs." "Do either party have any objections?" The judge's gaze swept across the courtroom. "Tate, don't forget about your mother. She's still waiting for you." Reed's voice was a low warning. On his phone screen was live surveillance footage of my mother's room. She lay in bed with an oxygen mask, clutching two stuffed animals, murmuring that they were gifts for her grandsons. My body trembled uncontrollably. My eyes burned. "I... have no objections." 'Good girl. That's my wife. Don't worry-I'll go with you tonight to visit her. We won't let your mother worry." Finally, the trial ended. Outside the courthouse, reporters and crowds had already swarmed the entrance. The moment I stepped out, they shoved microphones in my face. Tate Ashford, using your own children's deaths to extort money-do you have any shame left as a mother?" 'We heard you were once kidnapped by the Vega Syndicate. Shortly after you were rescued, you got pregnant. Are those children really Mr. Harrow's?" 'Or was the father someone else? Were there so many men involved you don't even know who the father is?" Camera flashes blinded me. Each question was sharper than the last, as if they were trying to flay me open on live television. 1 I looked at Reed. I could see it clearly in his eyes-disgust. I let out a bitter laugh. So that's how it is. I took three bullets to save him. I was captured by his enemies. I threatened suicide to avoid being violated. And in the end, he never believed me. Not once. "Of course they're not his. Only trash spawned by thugs would pull a stunt like this." Calla's father waddled forward, beer gut first, his face twisted in contempt. He tossed a wad of cash at my face. "Reed already bought me a new car. I don't give a damn about this chump change. Use it to buy a couple decent urns for those little bastards." The moment I saw the man who killed my sons, I couldn't contain my rage any longer. The blade slid from my sleeve into my palm. "Tate!" What do you think you're doing?!" Reed's body remained still, but his piercing gaze instantly locked onto my hand. 'How incredibly rude. Apologize to Uncle Fletcher. Now." 'Reed Harrow? He's the man who killed our sons!!" You're not listening again." Reed's tone carried a threat. On his phone screen, his men barged into my mother's hospital room and ripped the oxygen tube from her face. No!" Kneel. Apologize." Fine. I'll kneel..." dropped to my knees in front of Calla and her father. I knocked my forehead against the ground. I'm sorry. I didn't discipline my sons properly..." alla stepped forward slowly, pretending to help me up. Her voice dropped to a whisper. Tate, the person Reed loves is me." Just look at yourself right now. No one in this world could be more pathetic than you."