Father took one last look at his children before stepping out.

“I plan on taking all the children. Even Lise, who may not be my own. She looks somewhat like her mother, so she might marry well for the sake of the Marsen family later on. That child would want that, too.”

He had now completely turned into a villain, stabbing at people’s hearts without remorse, whether it was his wife or his children.

“I’ll send the papers with my lawyer soon! And remember, this house is Marsen property. It would be wise to remove your belongings within three days.”

Father left the mansion with that. After the storm had passed, only broken hearts remained.

In the space left by our departing father, resentment towards Rodney remained.

“How could you, how could you do this? Why…”

Rodney was despicable. Utterly despicable.

Upon seeing Rodney enter my room, I punched him in the chest. Rodney simply took it, wordless in his guilt.

My eyes hurt. The tears that had flowed down my cheeks had dried up, making my lips sticky whenever they moved.

“You could have resolved it peacefully…!”

I wanted to cry until I was exhausted. Until I noticed the faces of my siblings through the gap in the door. They hesitated to enter the room, unsure of when they had arrived.

“…Felicia.”

My heart sank to the pit of my stomach.

The first person to open the door and come in was Felicia. Her face showed more than anger; she looked as if she had lost everything. The only life in her was the blamefilled gaze of her eyes. Initially, I thought that gaze was directed at me, but it wasn’t.

“Lise was right.”

Felicia’s gaze was on Rodney.

“Rodney, you’re just like Father. Thinking only of yourself. What about the pain Mother and we will go through? What are you going to do!”

Felicia, who had admired Rodney more than anyone, now spoke the most hurtful words to him.

“I’m sorry. I’ve been a terrible brother. I’ll talk to Mother separately…”

Rodney couldn’t finish his words because tears were gathering in his eyes.

That moment, our softened hearts and siblings embraced Rodney. And then we cried, saying, “I hate you, I really do, I really, really do.”

“If Father and Mother are one thing, what about us? I don’t want to separate like this!”

At Silke’s words, everyone nodded.

“…Don’t worry about that. As I said earlier, we’ll all become part of the Follong family.”

“Brother, are you sure about that?”

Bernard asked Rodney.
“If someone has ever abused or been violent to their own child, they can’t obtain custody rights… If we have our testimonies and mom’s opinion, we’ll inherit the Polong family’s first name. I’ve prepared for that.”

Rodney spoke with sobs in his voice. Had anyone else said it, it wouldn’t have been trustworthy, but if Rodney said he’d prepared, he meant it thoroughly.

Judging by how smoothly he spoke, he had anticipated this situation and had already researched and studied the divorce laws.

“The problem, if any, is Lise.”

Rodney looked at me. While I may not know the law well, the chances of my custody rights going to Isabelle are slim. Father has a higher chance of gaining rights, since neither Isabelle nor I are related by blood and he brought me into the mansion despite being an illegitimate child.

If I’m lucky, all my rights might go to my father even if I live with my siblings in the Polong family.

“Lise has to stay!”

“Exactly!”

Felicia and Silke clutched at Rodney’s clothes tightly. I didn’t like it either.

“Don’t worry, there’s a way.”

“…What is it?”

When I asked, Rodney forced a smile, seemingly to alleviate my worries and concerns.

“Let’s ask Grandfather for help. He’s the person Father fears the most. If both Grandfather and Mother support you, Lise, it will be very easy for you to become a daughter of the Polong family. And fortunately, both Grandfather and Mother love you more than anyone.”

I never thought Grandfather liked me. I couldn’t guarantee that Isabelle would bring me into the Polong family either. I clenched my fists unconsciously, finding Rodney annoying for saying something so improbable.

It wasn’t that I trusted Rodney. I shouldn’t have even sent him the letter in the first place.

“Lise.”

“…”

I avoided Rodney’s gaze.

“Trust me. They love you. They will surely take your side.”

“How would you know that?”

“Because I saw it.”

“…Rodney. I hate you more than anyone in the world.”

“I know. But you still trust me, Lise?”