Episode 2
1227 Words
Hours later, Aria lay alone in the dim hospital room, her body weak and aching.
Her arms were empty. Her husband hadn’t come and so her in-laws.They had taken the baby… and left her behind.
A single tear slid quietly down her cheek. So this was her place in the Sterling family., a disposable property.
The door suddenly opened. Heavy footsteps echoed through the room.
Several men in black suits stepped inside before bowing respect
An elderly man walked in slowly, leaning on a silver cane.
His sharp eyes softened the moment they landed on Aria. “My child…”
Aria blinked weakly. “Grandpa, you’re back from your trip…”
Old Master Sterling. The powerful patriarch of the Sterling family. And the only person who had ever treated her like family. The old man had been away for his yearly medical vacation, but changed his plans and headed back home as soon as he heard she was in labour.
“They left you here alone? His gaze darkened when he saw the empty room.
Aria said nothing. But the silence told him everything.Anger flashed across the old man’s face. “Ridiculous.”
He turned sharply to his bodyguards. “Prepare the car.”
Then he looked back at Aria with rare gentleness. “You’re coming home with me.”
Aria’s lips trembled. “But… my baby…”
The old man’s voice softened. “The child is at home and needs you.”
He rested a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
“From today onward, no one in the Sterling family will dare mistreat you again.”
*****
The Sterling mansion stood like a fortress against the night sky of the island, its towering gates opening slowly as the black car rolled inside.
Aria clutched the blanket around her fragile body as the vehicle stopped in front of the grand entrance. The stitches from childbirth burned painfully with every slight movement, but none of it mattered.
All she could think of was her baby. That was all she cared about.
Old Master Sterling stepped out first, his cane tapping against the marble steps as several security aides hurried forward.
“Careful,” he said quietly.
A kind maid helped Aria out of the car. Her legs trembled the moment her feet touched the ground.
She had barely taken two steps toward the house when a faint cry reached her ears.
A baby’s cry. Aria’s heart leapt violently “My baby…” Without thinking, she rushed inside.
The enormous living room glowed under crystal chandeliers.
Sitting elegantly on the sofa was Margaret Sterling, dressed in a silk robe, cradling the newborn in her arms as if she owned her.
Clara sat beside her, scrolling lazily through her phone.
Margaret was the first to notice Aria.
Her lips curled faintly. “Well, well. So you made it.”
Aria’s eyes locked onto the tiny bundle in Margaret’s arms.
Her precious daughter. Tears flooded her vision as she hurried forward. “My baby… give her to me.”She reached out, her arms trembling.
But before she could touch the child—Margaret suddenly stood, shoving Aria back sharply. “Don’t you dare touch her with those filthy hands of yours.”
Aria stumbled backward, nearly losing her balance. Pain shot through her body as her stitches pulled violently.
Clara laughed softly. “Careful, sister-in-law. You just gave birth, can you really stand my mom..
Aria stared at them in disbelief. “That’s my baby.”Margaret’s expression turned cold. “This child is a Sterling.”
She glanced down at the newborn with calculating eyes.
“You’ve done your job giving birth. Now the child will be raised properly by the Sterling family, so she doesn’t end up being a low life like you.”
Aria felt like the ground had disappeared beneath her feet.
“My baby…” Her voice cracked. “Give her to me.”
Margaret didn’t move, instead , she handed the baby to the nanny standing nearby.
“Take the child upstairs.” She ordered
Aria panicked. “No!”
She rushed forward again, but Margaret blocked her path.
“You’re in no condition to argue with me,” Margaret said dismissively. “Don’t embarrass yourself.”
Tears burned Aria’s eyes.That was her child, then baby she nearly died giving birth to.
How could they just take her away?
“I said—give me my baby!” She screamed with all her might. Her voice echoed through the massive hall.
“You’re raising your voice in this house?” For the first time, Margaret’s brows knitted together in annoyance.
“Enough.” The deep voice cut through the tension like thunder.
Everyone froze.
Old Master Sterling slowly walked into the living room, his sharp eyes sweeping across the scene.
His gaze landed on Aria first—pale, shaking, desperate.Then it moved to Margaret.
“What the hell is going on here.”
Margaret straightened slightly but didn’t look guilty. Welcome back grandpa, you returned early, hope you are feeling better. That’s not what I asked you, he warned lady Margaret
“The child needs proper care. Aria is still weak.” She explained briefly
The old man’s expression darkened.
“Is that so?”
Margaret lifted her chin. “Grandpa. She almost died today. It’s better the nanny—”
“Return the child.”The command was calm but terrifying.
Margaret stiffened. “Grandpa —”
“I said return the child.”His cane struck the floor with a sharp crack. “Now.”
The nanny hurried forward immediately, placing the baby gently into Aria’s trembling arms.
The moment the small bundle touched her chest, Aria’s entire body collapsed with relief.
“My baby…”
Tears streamed down her face as she held the child tightly, afraid someone might snatch her away again.
The newborn stirred softly, her tiny fingers curling against Aria’s hospital gown.
Old Master Sterling watched quietly.
Then he turned to Margaret, his voice turning icy.
“From this moment on, no one should ever separate this mother from her child again.”
Margaret’s face stiffened. “Grandpa , I only meant—”
“If I hear of this happening again,” the old man interrupted coldly, “you will answer to me.”
The room fell silent. Clara quickly looked away.
Margaret clenched her jaw but said nothing.
The old man turned back to Aria, his voice softening. “You’re coming with me.”
Aria looked up in confusion.
“To my residence.”He gestured to the security aides. “Prepare the east mansion.”
Margaret’s eyes widened. “Grandpa! You can’t mean—”
“I mean exactly that.”His gaze was sharp as a blade. “She and the child will stay where they are protected.”
Aria blinked in shock. The east mansion.That was the private residence of Old Master Sterling himself.
No one in the Sterling family lived there except him.
Margaret’s face darkened with fury, but she could not argue. Minutes later, the car was prepared again.
Aria sat quietly in the backseat, holding her daughter close to her chest.
For the first time since waking up in the hospital, she felt a small sense of safety.
Outside the car window, the main Sterling mansion slowly disappeared behind them.
- Writer
