Emily’s POV

The next four weeks passed in a fast, exhausting blur of campus lectures, estate rules, and constant psychological landmines.

Enrolling Julian at the New York Academy should have been simple, but Charlotte made sure every single school run became an international crisis.

"I am his biological mother!" Charlotte had snapped outside the grand stone entrance of the main mansion during the second week, clutching her designer leather handbag like a weapon. "I will be the one driving him to school every morning and picking him up every afternoon!"

"The security team drives Julian, Charlotte," I had replied calmly from the porch, holding my warm travel mug. "You're welcome...