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.

Then why was she being treated so differently?


The investors exchanged puzzled glances, unable to understand what was happening.


Could she be someone important to Liam Scott?


One of them cleared his throat before looking at Liam. "CEO Scott ... do you know Adelyn Grace?" he asked hesitantly.


Liam's gaze immediately turned sharp. He understood the underlying meaning beneath those words. 


"Do I need to know her?" he questioned him back coldly.


The investor immediately shook his head. "No ... that's not what I meant. I was just..."


He wanted to explain himself, but somehow felt that the more he spoke, the worse it would become. His words gradually trailed off as he quietly wiped the sweat from his forehead.


Chapter 285 - Can't replace her.