Family is a luxury not everyone can afford. 
Adelyn learned that the day Clara returned to the Scott family —and she quietly stopped belonging. 

No one abused her. 
No one hurt her openly. 

But the love that was once hers alone became divided. 
The attention that once chose her … became something she had to borrow.

And whenever something precious stood between her and Clara —Adelyn was the one asked to let go. 

Not once.
Not twice. 
But every single time. 

Her dreams. 
Her choices. 
Her place in the family.

Her heart didn’t break in a single moment —it wore down slowly … until nothing remained worth fighting for. 

So, she erased herself from their world.
Not in anger.
Not in revenge. 
But to save what little of herself was left.
—————
Seven years later, Adelyn returned. 

Not for the Scott family. 
Not for their love. 

She came back for the dreams she was once forced to abandon —and this time, nothing would be taken from her. 

No compromises.
No sacrifices.
Only her life. Her rules. 

She breathed in freedom. “No family…no shackles.” 

But just then—
Two small arms wrapped around her legs. 
She stiffened. 

Looking down, she met a pair of familiar doe eyes staring up at her with unwavering trust.
“Mama … Eira waited long for you. Don’t leave again.” 

…Mama?

Before she could understand or react, a tall shadow fell over them. 

A man stood there —gaze sharp, cold, claiming —looking at her like she had belonged to him.
“You dared to show up again?” 

Adelyn felt clueless. She would have asked him what he meant, however —

Before she could speak — the ground vanished beneath her feet. 

A powerful arm lifted her effortlessly. 

“Since you dared …” his voice dropped —low, restrained, dangerous. “Don’t think of escaping again.

For a second, her mind refused to process what she had just heard. 


Her gaze dropped to the little figure standing beside her —small fingers wrapped around her hand. 


Yet impossibly firm, as though unwilling to let go, no matter what. 


"Wait!" Amelia almost shrieked. "Did she just call you Mama?" 


Adelyn lifted her head to look at her, and for once, she didn't know how to respond. "I —"


"Didn't you say you are not romantically involved with anyone?" Amelia was already spiralling. She had only just forced herself to believe in this fragile hope of success —and now, once again, it felt like it was slipping through her fingers. 


Could heaven please have some mercy on her? 


"Adelyn," Freya began softly, yet seriously. "What's happening?"


Adelyn's brows drew together. She wanted to explain, but she didn't know how to. She met Freya's and Amelia's gaze once before looking back at the little one. 


Chapter 13 - It was instinctive.