"You shouldn't have opened that envelope," she whispered.
Adrian stepped closer.
"Why?"
Eleanor's eyes filled with tears.
"Because Catherine didn't die from a medical complication."
The room went silent.
Adrian stared at his mother.
"Then what happened?"
Eleanor looked down.
And after six months of lies, she finally said the words that would destroy the Sterling family.
"Your wife was trying to protect Emily from me."
The hospital room fell silent.
Adrian Sterling stood beside his daughter's bed, staring at the woman who had raised him.
His mother, Eleanor, looked exhausted. Her perfectly styled hair was disheveled, and her hands trembled as she held the edge of the chair.
For six months, Adrian had believed that his wife had died because of complications during childbirth.
Now he was beginning to understand that the truth might be far more painful.
"Tell me exactly what happened," he demanded.
Eleanor lowered her eyes.
"Catherine was weak after giving birth. The doctors were worried about her condition, and I believed she needed stronger treatment."
"That doesn't answer my question."
"She refused to listen to anyone. She wanted to leave the hospital."
Adrian shook his head.
"Why would she want to leave when she was seriously ill?"
"Because she was frightened."
"Frightened of what?"
Eleanor looked toward Lily.
"Of me."
Adrian felt his chest tighten.
"What did you do to my wife?"
Eleanor began crying.
"I never wanted her to die."
"Then why did you interfere with her medical treatment?"
"I thought I was helping!"
"Helping? You changed decisions that belonged to her doctors. You made choices without her consent."
Eleanor covered her face.
"I was trying to protect this family."
Adrian stepped backward.
"From what? From Catherine?"
His mother remained silent.
Finally, she began explaining.
After Emily's birth, Catherine had discovered that Eleanor had been secretly arranging financial and legal documents to secure control over the Sterling inheritance.
Eleanor believed Catherine was too young, too inexperienced, and too emotionally unstable to raise an heir to the Sterling family.
She wanted Emily to be raised under her supervision.
Catherine refused.
The argument became increasingly bitter.
Then, during Catherine's hospitalization, Eleanor used her influence to pressure hospital administrators into changing certain aspects of her treatment.
She insisted that she had been following medical advice.
But the records suggested otherwise.
"Did you know the treatment could put her life at risk?" Adrian asked.
Eleanor began shaking her head.
"I didn't understand the consequences."
"Did you know?"
She couldn't answer.
Adrian turned away.
For years, he had respected his mother. He had trusted her with his business affairs and allowed her to remain deeply involved in his personal life.
Now he wondered how many other things she had hidden.
"Get out," he said quietly.
"Adrian, please."
"Leave this room."
"I'm your mother."
"And Catherine was my wife."
Eleanor looked at him desperately.
"I loved you. I only wanted what was best for you."
Adrian turned around.
"You wanted control. You wanted everyone to obey you. And now Catherine is dead."
He pointed toward the door.
"Get out."
Eleanor slowly walked away.
When the door closed, Adrian sat beside Emily's bed.
Lily stood quietly near the window.
He looked at her.
"How can I live with this?"
Lily approached him.
"You don't have to decide that today."
"My own mother may have contributed to my wife's death."
"Then let the investigation establish the truth. Don't let anger make decisions for you."
Adrian looked at her.
"How do you manage to remain kind after everything you've been through?"
Lily smiled sadly.
"Because I know what happens when pain becomes the only thing inside your heart."
He reached for her hand.
This time, she allowed him to hold it.
Two days later, Emily was discharged from the hospital.
Adrian brought her home, and Lily stayed beside the baby throughout the journey.
But their peace didn't last.
The Sterling family scandal had begun spreading through the media.
A journalist had obtained information about Catherine's medical records.
By the following morning, several news websites were reporting that the billionaire's mother was being investigated for possible interference in her daughter-in-law's medical care.
Adrian's company shares began falling.
Investors demanded explanations.
Business partners canceled meetings.
But none of that mattered as much as what happened next.
A lawyer representing Eleanor arrived at the mansion.
He carried an official document.
"Mr. Sterling, my client has filed an emergency petition regarding the custody and guardianship of Emily."
Adrian frowned.
"What?"
"She believes your current household is not a suitable environment for the child."
Lily immediately understood.
"She's trying to take Emily."
The lawyer looked uncomfortable.
"She has requested a temporary guardianship hearing."
Adrian's face hardened.
"She will not take my daughter."
The lawyer placed another document on the table.
"There is also a complaint against Miss Bennett."
Lily looked at him.
"What complaint?"
He hesitated.
"Mrs. Sterling claims that you have manipulated the child emotionally and used your position to gain financial advantages from the family."
Adrian stood up.
"That's a lie!"
"She has submitted supporting statements."
Lily felt her heart sink.
She knew Victoria was involved.
She knew Eleanor would never forgive her for discovering the truth.
But she had never imagined they would go this far.
That evening, Adrian found Lily packing her belongings.
"What are you doing?"
She continued folding her clothes.
"I'm leaving."
"No."
"Adrian, I can't let Emily become involved in another scandal because of me."
"This isn't your fault."
"Maybe not. But they are using me to attack you."
Adrian took the suitcase from her hand.
"I won't allow that."
Lily looked at him with tears in her eyes.
"You can't protect everyone, Adrian."
He stared at her.
"Perhaps I can't. But I can choose whom I stand beside."
For a moment, neither moved.