After the funeral, Miley sat with her two brothers and the children. It had been so long since they were all together that even casual conversation felt rare and precious.

For years, Nathan and Aiden had barely spoken, but now old grudges seemed to fade.

“It’s been ages since I last saw you,” Nathan said with a faint smile. “How long have you been growing out your hair?”

Miley laughed lightly. “I only did it because Kiara tried to cut hers the same length as mine.”

“What? She wanted to chop it off?” Nathan asked in disbelief.

“She did,” Aiden interjected. “I’ll never forget the look on Miley’s face and Dad’s laughter when Kiara stood there holding piles of her own hair. That was a year ago, wasn’t it?”

“Please don’t remind me.” Miley shook her head. “Kiara thought if Jaden and I had short hair, then she should too.”

“So you grew your hair out for her?” Nathan asked gently.

“Yes,” Miley admitted. “I promised her that neither of us would cut our hair again.”

She smiled at the memory. It was amusing now, but at the time she had been worried sick. Kiara had cut it so short that Dad kept teasing her, calling her a handsome knight. He had been the one to suggest someone in the family grow their hair longer, and she had drawn the short straw. Even now, she wasn’t used to it after years of keeping it short.

“You look beautiful,” Nathan said softly. “It suits you.”

Flustered, Miley rose to her feet. “I’ll go tuck Kiara in. Excuse me.” She hurried away, memories stirring memories of the last time Nathan confessed his feelings. She had made it clear she could never see him as more than a brother, but his affection still weighed on her. Her heart and mind were with her children.

---

Miley’s POV

Months passed after our father’s death, yet his absence remained sharp, like a wound that refused to heal. As he wished, we his children took over the family businesses. I continued to oversee the national branches, just as I had when he was alive. But something unexpected arose.

“ Aiden? What a surprise!” I said when he walked into my office.

His face was grim. “I wish I came with better news .”

“What’s wrong?”

“Our American liaison sent this over. ” He handed me several documents.

I scanned them and frowned. “This can’t be right. I checked last month’s reports myself. The numbers were much higher. Tell him to redo it. "

“This is the third report, Miley,” Aiden replied seriously. “Something is wrong. We need you there. This issue didn’t just appear yesterday.”

“Return to Lilyrose City?” My chest tightened. “I can’t.”

“I know it wasn’t in your plans,” he said. “But Nathan and I are overwhelmed. You’re the only one who can fix this.”

He was right. They were always traveling, handling enterprises I couldn’t. Without Dad, the businesses in Lilyrose had spiraled into chaos. Worse, corruption had crept in, especially from the Gilberts. To fix it, I would have to work through Pierce Enterprises our main partner and ally.

But going back meant facing the people who had abandoned me. The ones who had hurt me. I wasn’t ready.

“I want to help,” I whispered, “but going back there … I can’t .”

“You can, Miley,” Aiden said firmly. “And you will. But tell me how long do you plan to keep running?”

Maybe he was right. Maybe I had been hiding. Still, I found peace in letting my old family think I was dead. Peace in staying far from their cruelty.

“I’m sorry,” I murmured.

Aiden’s eyes softened. “Do you remember? Years ago, Dad saved Nathan too. He was sold as a fighter. Bitter. Aggressive. He trusted no one. But Dad broke through, little by little, until Nathan became the man who protected us all.”

My throat tightened. “He truly was an exceptional man.”

“He was.” Aiden’s voice was steady. “Miley, since Dad brought you into this family, you’ve never been alone. Nathan, me, and the Hale name we stand with you. If you ever face your old family, or that man who hurt you, don’t bow. Crush them underfoot. No one can stop you. We are the strongest family there is.”

I stared at him, stunned. His words rang with truth and carried a promise of justice I hadn’t expected. Maybe I had nothing to fear. Maybe they should fear me.

“Thank you, Aiden,” I said, drawing strength from his resolve. “Alright. I’ll go.”

“That’s the spirit. I’m counting on you, sister.”

“One thing though,” I asked quietly. “What’s going on between you and Nathan? You’ve drifted apart again. I thought—”

“Don’t worry,” he cut in. “It’s nothing serious. We’ll sort it out.”

“Alright. Then I’ll start preparing for Lilyrose.”

“You don’t need to worry,” Aiden said. “We’ve arranged everything the property, the staff, and a security team for you and the twins. You’ll be safe.”

“You’ve thought of everything,” I said with a small smile. “Were you so sure I wouldn’t refuse?”

“No,” he said simply. “But I trust you. And I trust my judgment.”

“In that way, you’re just like Dad always knowing what to say to make people follow. There’s no doubt you’re his son.”

“At least I learned well.”

“The twins are about to be dismissed from school,” I said. “Will you join me in picking them up?”

“Of course. I have a trip to Tokyo, but I want to say goodbye first.”

“So we won’t see you for a while?”

“What are you talking about?” Aiden chuckled. “I wouldn’t miss my nephew and niece’s birthday. Dad always made it the best celebration I’ll try to do the same.”

He promised to visit whenever possible. And true to his word, two weeks later, the children and I were on a private jet arranged by the Hale family, heading to Lilyrose City.

When we landed, a tall man in a black suit stepped forward.

“Good afternoon, Miss Hale. My name is Dave. I’ve been assigned to your safety and to that of the young prince and princess.”

The titles stirred something in me. In Father’s household, staff always called Kiara and Jaden prince and princess. They had fit those roles perfectly.

“Thank you, Dave,” I said sincerely. “I’ll be relying on you.”

Jaden woke up quickly, but Kiara was still asleep, so I carried her to the car. Six more guards waited by the vehicles.

“These men form your security detail,” Dave explained. “Four will protect the children, and two plus myself will guard you.”

“Please take good care of my children.”

“Of course, Miss Hale,” he replied with a respectful bow.

We arrived at the residence,a vast, palatial home built to mirror our old one. The twins’ play areas, their bedrooms, even the smallest treasures had been arranged exactly as before. Aiden had gone to great lengths to ensure we felt at home.

Truly, he was a wonderful brother.

.

< MILEY'S POV>

My entire body ached, and my mind was foggy. I had no idea what had happened last night, attempting to remember only intensified the throbbing in my head.

Looking around in confusion, the room was foreign to me. "Did Julian bring me here?" Flashes of betrayal from the man who until yesterday, was my boyfriend assaulted me. But he did not bring me here. I entered this room seeking refuge from him, forcing myself to stand despite the pain and exhaustion weighing me down.

It was only then that I realized that I was naked. As if that wasn’t enough, a dreadful chill raced through me, coupled with fear when I saw the person Lying naked beside me.

It was Logan Pierce.

A tall and handsome man unlike any other, every girl’s dream and some men too, upon seeing even a mere photograph. And he was the nightmare of anyone who dared approach him. His very presence was intimidating, and his temperament made him the most feared man. Moreover, he was the uncle of my now ex-boyfriend.

The night’s events crashed back to me. Tears escaped as I donned a shirt— I knew it wasn't mine, but I needed it to escape this place without waking the man beside me. otherwise, I would be dead before I could even make an attempt to defend myself. but my luck was cursed...

Flung to the ground, a hand closed around my neck. He woke up and, as feared, this man wanted to kill me.

"Who the hell paid you to do this? Speak before I do something drastic to you", He shouted angrily like he was going to tear apart— He wanted me to speak, but his grip on my neck was so tight I could barely breathe. There was no salvation for me; I was a victim, yet I would die like a criminal.

When I thought my end was near, the door burst open, and to my astonishment, the last traitors I could imagine were there.

Julian, who pretended to be my boyfriend for a bet to satisfy his ego, glared at me with fury. Wasn't he supposed to be the first?

Gasping, I struggled to catch my breath before this person contemplated killing me again.

"But what did you do, Miley? I told you to stop. Think of what will happen to our family when they find out you attacked Mr.Pierce." And yes, that voice condemning me was Audrey's, Julian's lover, and my elder sister. I looked up only to meet Mr. Pierce's furious gaze.

"Stop lying it was you two! I heard you in the hallway last night".

"Mr Pierce, Julian, and I have been looking for my sister all night. She drank too much and was ranting about avenging the humiliation done to our family ". Audrey said so innocently you could believe she would never hurt a fly

"Get out!" Logan commanded— I am going to die, and I don't even have the strength to leave this place. Is it worth saying anything anymore?

Julian remained silent, obviously supporting her. I was so foolish to still hope he would defend me.

"Uncle, father, and the other Gilbert family members are here already, Audrey told them about what she planned to do." I heard Julian say.

I wasn't even given the chance to finish dressing before being dragged out. There was my mother, my grandparents, my uncles—all looking at me as if I were the lowest of the low.

"Mom, I swear I did nothing. It was Audrey and Julian. They are lovers; they planned everything".— And as expected I was struck.

"How dare you tarnish your sister's reputation? Have you no Shame? My mother did not believe me. No one did.

" Just admit it once and for all and stop blaming others for your actions". Audrey kept on bugging me to admit to something I didn't do.

" I will not admit to something I didn't do nor had an idea of! I am the victim here, not you or this man. I was the one..."

"Enough! Mr Pierce, the Gilbert family begs your forgiveness and has decided what to do with her". Those were my uncle's words, the man I had admired and seen as a father figure all my life, and no one opposed his decision.

" I won't dirty my hands with trash like this..." Logan paused before continuing— the pain in my chest was indescribable, more agonizing than the pains racking my body or the rejection from my family. I felt my life ebbing away.

" You have two hours to get out of my city. If I see you again, I will kill you myself". Logan ordered and He left, and I wished to stop him but I couldn't. The pain in my chest was sapping my strength, and I couldn't speak.

I was thrown out of the mansion and into the street like a beggar. The cold air hit my skin like daggers and the reality of my situation crashed down on me. This man... Logan was exceedingly cruel, and my heart ached with despair.

As I lay on the pavement, staring up at the night sky, I realized the depth of my isolation. Betrayed by those I loved and threatened by the very man who should have been my protector, I was utterly alone. How had it come to this? I raced as I grappled with the implications of the betrayal. I had no one to turn to, no one to believe my truth. All I could do was pull myself up from the ground, my body trembling as I faced an uncertain future. l had to find a way to survive, to fight back against the forces conspiring against me.

At that moment, I promised myself that I wouldn't let them win. I would find a way to reclaim my life, even if it meant standing against the very one whom I thought was my family