They thought I'd grown up in some slum. They thought without the Fox family I had nothing.

They had no idea that my adoptive parents were one of the most powerful families in Havenport.

When I'd insisted on returning to my biological parents, Mom and Dad Delgado had held back tears and said, "Serena, if they ever mistreat you, come home to us."

But I'd chosen blood over the people who actually loved me. I'd pushed them away, convinced that sincerity could be repaid with sincerity.

What a joke.

June walked out surrounded by their doting attention. At the door, she paused and looked back at me, triumph glittering in her eyes. Her lips moved silently.

You lost again.

I met her gaze and let the corner of my mouth curl upward.

The next morning, I went to the office. It was the last time I'd ever set foot in that building.

First, to clear out my things. Second, to take my projects with me.

Every single one of those deals I'd negotiated myself, piece by piece. The partners knew my name, not anyone else's.

Patrick pushed the door open and saw the files in my hands. His brow creased.

"You're still recovering. You shouldn't push yourself like this. Hand these over to June and let her take care of them."

I looked up at him, almost stunned by the absurdity.

These projects were built on how many sleepless nights I'd spent writing proposals, how many rounds of revisions, how many meetings I'd personally sat through with every partner.

And he thought one sentence was enough to gift them to June?

When Patrick saw I hadn't moved, his expression darkened.

"I'm doing this for your own good. Besides, projects don't wait. June needs a big account to prove herself and shut people up."

Funny. When I first joined the company, Patrick said he was worried people would think I'd gotten in through connections. So he made me start from the very bottom.

In the dead of summer, over a hundred degrees, I was out chasing leads. In winter blizzards, I sat across from partners alone.

Back then, giving me any kind of advantage never once crossed his mind.

I let out a quiet laugh and handed him the files.

"Fine."

I hoped June Fox could handle them.

I turned to leave and nearly ran into Patrick's assistant, who was coming in with documents. She froze when she saw me.

"Mrs. Harding, why are you leav—"

"I just had a miscarriage. My health isn't great. I'm here to hand off some work."

I cut her off before she could finish.