The word struck me like a slap.
Useless.
Julian let out a low, furious sound.
Vanessa continued in the same composed tone.
“Then Adrian informed us that Emma had finally conceived. Triplets. A miracle. Or so we thought.”
“You had access to my medical records?” I whispered.
“Of course.”
The air rushed from my lungs.
Martin offered a faint smile.
“Privacy is mostly theater, Emma.”
Blake’s voice shook with rage. “What did you do?”
Vanessa’s eyes gleamed.
“We ensured the strongest heir survived.”
Silence erupted.
At first, I couldn’t comprehend what she meant.
Then the words sank in.
My knees nearly buckled.
Julian caught my arm.
“¿Qué significa eso?” Él exigía.
Vanessa lo ignoró.
Ella fijó su mirada en mí.
“Eli carries the Harrington marker. Rare. Valuable. Traceable. His bloodline confirms everything my husband’s family spent generations protecting.”
“He’s a child,” I said.
“He is an heir.”
