Chapter 181:


    Isolde brushed the hair out of Effie’s eyes. “No, sweetie. Daddy doesn’t hate you. Daddy is broken. His brain is sick. He can’t see things clearly.”


    “Like when theputer has a bug?” Effie asked.


    “Exactly like that,” Isolde said softly. “A very bad bug.”


    She stood and moved to the window. Outside, she could see Graysonughing at something Belle said, feeding Kaiden a strawberry as though the afternoon had been entirely unremarkable.


    “And,” Isolde said, her voice stripped of all emotion.


    “The DNA test. For Kaiden.”


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    “The allergy records were enough to file the motion, but Grayson’swyers are calling it circumstantial,” And said. “We need something irrefutable for the custody hearing. A direct sample.”


    “I’ll get it,” Isolde said. “Tonight.”


    “And Isolde?”


    “Yes?”


    “Call Arthur Stone. Tell him to execute. No more negotiation. Full custody, asset seizure for fraud.” She paused, her gaze fixed on the manughing outside the window. “We burn it all down.”


    The sun began to set, casting long orange shadows across the estate. The smell of charcoal and grilled meat drifted through the air. The barbecue was in full swing.


    Isolde sat at a pic table on the periphery, Effie beside her eating an ear of corn. Effie’s knee was bandaged, and she was quiet, watching her father from a distance.


    Grayson was manning the grill. He had rolled up his sleeves, looking every bit the rugged provider. He flipped a burger with a flourish, then ted it and walked toward the main table.


    He didn’t bring it to Effie. He didn’t bring it to Ellyn.


    He handed it to Belle.


    Belle took a bite, then tore off a piece and fed it to Kaiden.


    “Yummy!” Kaiden shouted. “Daddy makes the best burgers!”


    Grayson ruffled Kaiden’s hair. “d you like it, buddy.”


    Isolde watched. Her engineer’s mind processed the details quietly, methodically.


    Grayson hatedtro — imed it tasted like soap. Kaiden had thrown a fitst week because there was green stuff in his salsa. Grayson was allergic to peanuts, mildly but enough that he avoided them without exception. Belle had made a considerable scene earlier ensuring the satay sauce was kept well away from the rest of the food.


    Isolde narrowed her eyes.


    Harper Vance slid onto the bench beside her. “God, looking at them makes me want to vomit.”


    “Harper,” Isolde murmured. “Look at Kaiden. Look at his profile.”


    Harper squinted across thewn. “The little monster? What about him?”


    “His jawline. And the way his ears sit — the way they fold slightly at the top.”


    Harper looked. Then she looked at Grayson. Her eyes went wide. “Holy — Isolde. That’s a copy-paste.”


    “I know,” Isolde whispered.


    Just then, Kaiden came running over to their table. He spotted the sausage on Effie’s te and reached for it with greasy fingers. “I want that.”


    Effie pulled her te back. “No. Go get your own.”


    Kaiden scowled. He raised his hand and pped Effie’s arm.


    “Hey!” Harper caught Kaiden’s wrist. “You little brat. Where are your manners?”


    Kaiden screamed. “Belle Mommy! Help! She’s hurting me!”


    Belle Mommy.


    Not Auntie Belle. Not Ms. Belle.


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