Chapter 458

Samuel's voice was sharp with accusation. "It's Amelia who saved you back then! That snake venom destroyed her body—robbed her of ever becoming a mother!"

His fists clenched. "You know exactly what that means for a woman. The pain, the grief, the shattered dreams!"

Nathaniel remained silent, jaw tight.

Every word was true.

Fifteen years ago, he'd been bleeding out in the bushes of a remote village, snake venom burning through his veins. Blind, helpless, dying.

Then a girl appeared. She sucked the poison from his wound, spat it out—but not fast enough. The venom had already seeped into her.

Later, she found him again—Amelia Rivers, the second daughter of the Rivers family, staying at their countryside estate.

The damage was irreversible. The venom had stolen her fertility.

Guilt had shackled him ever since. He gave her everything—money, favors, protection. Whatever she asked.

A month ago, she'd come to him in tears.

"I saw an old classmate today," she'd whispered. "She's married. Pregnant. I want that, Nathaniel. Just once. Just to know what it feels like."

She begged him to help her adopt. Somewhere discreet, where no one would ask questions.

Kecharia.

A poor country with lax adoption laws. No marriage certificate needed. No family interference.

He'd hesitated. But the guilt won.

They spent two weeks there, finalizing the paperwork. The boy—Joey—was quiet, wary. On the flight home, he developed a fever.

They rushed him to the hospital.

That was the night Evelyn called.

The night she vanished.

Nathaniel's knuckles whitened.

Samuel exhaled sharply. "An adoption won't fix this, Nathaniel. Amelia's dream was always you. Only you can give her happiness."

A bitter laugh escaped him. "Even with our families' feud, I'd make peace for her sake. Can't you do the same?"

Nathaniel finally met his gaze. Cold. Unreadable.

"I'm already married, Samuel. Bigamy isn't legal."

Samuel scoffed.

"Married? To Evelyn?" His lip curled. "Please. That was never real. You only brought her home to pacify your grandfather before his surgery."