Eden never expected her words would set the nurse off like a spark to dry grass.


    "Oh, you still think you''re some untouchable princess, huh? Well, guess what- everyone knows now. Your dad is Henry. Do you even know who Henry is? He''s the one who ruined my family! My father jumped to his death because of him. I''ve hated Henry my whole life!"


    The nurse''s eyes were red, her voice shaking with old pain. Twenty years ago, her dad had gone out to collect a debt, leaving her mom home alone with her and her little brother. He never came back. The story went that he''d tried to stand up to Henry, got trapped, and ended up taking his own life.


    Her father was just one of hundreds who died like that-a nobody the world forgot. But she could never forget.


    And now, staring at the daughter of the man who destroyed everything, she could barely keep herself fromshing out. The only reason she held it together was her family—they''d already lost too much because of Henry.


    Another nurse tugged gently at her sleeve, her voice raw. "That''s enough. Come on, let''s go."


    The angry nurse red at Eden, then let out a coldugh. "You got to live easy all these years. Lucky you, huh? But it looks like whoever was protecting you finally gave up. Serves you right. You''ll be stuck in this hospital for a long time, and I''ll make sure to curse you every day."


    Eden just stared, lost. Henry? She had no idea who that was. She''d grown up in the Ferguson family, totally sheltered from all of this.


    But now, a heavy, uneasy feeling crept into her chest. She''d been in the hospital for days, and not a single person hade to see her.


    She nced at her phone.


    Nothing. Silence. She had friends in the city-so why did it feel like everyone had disappeared?


    Ignoring the pain, she yanked off her bandages and grabbed her phone, dialing Simon.


    Her brother had always told her she could call him anytime, for anything. While she waited, Eden scrolled through the group chat, reading everyone''s messages. And finally, the truth hit her-Henry was her father.


    Shock and disbelief crashed over her. All this time, she''d only known Dn had taken her in, never telling her about her real past.


    She thought she was just lucky-her birth parents were gone, but she had Dn, who gave her a home and love.


    But now, staring at all the hate in those messages, every word felt like a knife.


    She gripped her phone tight.


    "No... no, it''s not true. This can''t be real. Did Dn do this? No. He would never treat me like this!"


    She called Dn over and over, her Shaking, but all she got


    hands


    the automated voice:


    bet


    you''re calling is unle


    He''d always picked up before, always been there for her, no matter how much trouble she caused.


    Terror filled her. She never thought he''d abandon her sopletely, so easily.


    Did he really not care anymore?


    She sent him message after message, but none went through.


    She''d been blocked.


    Staring at the big red exmation mark on her phone, she let out a shakyugh, then broke down crying.


    She tried to climb out of bed, hoping, praying the footsteps she heard outside meant Dn hade back for her. For a moment, hope it up her eyes.


    "Dn, I knew you wouldn''t leave me. You''re just trying to teach me a lesson, right? No matter how madd made you before, you always


    forgave me. That child add


    only


    wants me, he doesn''t even want you. Dn, you''d never really give up on me."


    But when the door swung open, it wasn''t Dn.


    A group of strangers came in, their voices cold and businesslike.


    "Ms. Eden, the CEO has asked us to personally escort you overseas. It''s time for you to reunite with your father."