By the time they arrived at Willowbrook Villa, it was already deep into the night.

The rain grew heavier, and the world outside the car windows was shrouded in a dense, white fog.

Barrett's eyes lacked any sparkle as he leaned over to unbuckle Zoe's seatbelt.

This was their home, where he hadn't treated her well before, but he was determined to change that in the future.

The cold heart, he believed, could still be warmed.

Aunty Brown and several servants came out to greet them, helping Barrett open the car door and holding an umbrella for him.

When Barrett went around to the passenger side and carried Zoe, who...