Chapter 19

The car pulled up to Ashford Manor, and Claire felt a flutter of nerves. This was only the second time she'd met Dominic's family in person since the wedding.

His parents' health hadn't been strong enough for frequent visits, so they'd kept in touch through video calls while abroad. Dominic reached over and took her hand, turning to her with a gentle smile. "Don't worry. Mom and Dad adore you. They've been asking about you the whole drive over."

Claire let out a breath of relief. At the dinner table, Catherine couldn't stop beaming, enthusiastically piling food onto Claire's plate.

Claire flushed. "Really, Mom, that's more than enough."

Catherine finally set down the serving spoon, still smiling from ear to ear. "Alright, alright. But you're too thin, sweetheart. You need to eat more. Help yourself to whatever you like."

When the conversation turned to the baby, Claire smiled, her expression softening. "It's a girl. Though neither of us has any experience with children, to be honest."

She and Dominic hadn't originally planned to have kids — they hadn't felt ready for parenthood. But then the pregnancy happened unexpectedly.

Claire couldn't bring herself to end it, and after talking it over with Dominic, they'd decided to keep the baby.

She gazed down at her belly, her heart full and tender. Catherine patted her arm reassuringly. "Don't you worry about a thing. Your father-in-law and I are right here."

"We're just rattling around this big house with nothing to do anyway. When the baby comes, leave her to us. You two don't need to lift a finger."

Claire's eyes crinkled with warmth. "Thank you, Mom."

"Oh, hush. We're family — no need for thank-yous. I never had a daughter of my own, but in my heart, you are my daughter."

Edward's expression was kind as he chimed in. "You young people just focus on taking care of yourselves. Don't worry about the baby — that's our job."

He asked about their time abroad, and Claire was touched by his genuine interest. Under the table, Dominic held her hand the entire time, giving her a steady, reassuring look.

She smiled at him, feeling the last of her tension melt away, and fell into easy conversation with Catherine. At some point during the meal, Dominic excused himself to take a phone call.

His warm expression didn't waver as he stepped away, but the moment he turned the corner, his face went cold. The warmth vanished from his eyes, replaced by something sharp and dangerous. "So they actually had the nerve to come here. If they're that eager for a lesson, don't hold back."

"Yes, sir," his head of security replied immediately.

At that very moment, Ethan and Julian had arrived at the Ashford estate with a crew of men. They were tearing through the property, smashing everything in sight, unleashing two years of pent-up rage — until a wall of black-suited security guards closed in and surrounded them.

Ethan didn't flinch. He even laughed, cold and mocking. "Finally, someone shows up. I was starting to think the Ashford family had gone extinct."

The taunt wiped every trace of patience from the guards' faces. "You really do have a death wish."

Ethan sneered, his expression glacial. "Tell your boss to get out here. And Claire — I want to see her. Otherwise, we'll have him in court."

The head of security scoffed. "Mr. and Mrs. Ashford don't see just anyone who shows up demanding an audience."

He raised his hand, and the security team moved with swift precision, restraining Ethan, Julian, and every man they'd brought with them.

Ethan watched in disbelief as his people were subdued without a fight. His expression turned to stone. "Mrs. Ashford? Claire is my fiancée. If you won't let us see her, we'll sue."

Julian's face was ashen. He'd come prepared to reason with them, but now frost settled over his features. He spoke slowly, enunciating every word. "Funny — I don't recall my sister ever becoming someone else's wife."

The security chief's expression didn't change. He called the police and had the entire group hauled away. "Breaking and entering a private residence, destroying personal property, and then threatening to sue us? You two can cool off at the station for a while."

Ethan and Julian knew Claire was inside. Leaving was out of the question — they'd been desperate to find her, driven half-mad searching for two years.

Now that they'd finally found her, asking them to walk away was asking them to die.

Ethan lost all composure, screaming as they dragged him off. "I'm her fiancé! The Ashfords are the ones holding my fiancée captive! We just came to find her! They're the ones who should be arrested!"