The Heiress's Comeback

Chapter 167: [Volume 1] - 167- please save us.

But in her presence, he had found joy. They had loved each other deeply, passionately, and when Jenny had proposed, he felt as if he had soared to the highest heights.

The impending arrival of their child had filled him with overwhelming happiness, making him believe that he could conquer anything.

But that happiness shattered when Jenny’s mother, and subsequently his new wife, had set their sights on him.

Amber’s heart sank at the memory of her eyes, twisted with obsession. He could never forget that horrific night—the night he had been raped for the first time by the very woman who was meant to be his mother-in-law.

Just a month after giving birth, he had been brutally violated, and the memories of that trauma plagued him.

As he reflected on those dark times, Amber’s mind raced through the events that had spiraled into a deeper nightmare.

When Jenny had tried to confront her mother, determined to rescue him, the woman retaliated by kidnapping their child. She had threatened to end the child’s life if he didn’t marry her, an ultimatum that felt both horrifying and surreal.

Amber couldn’t fathom how a mother could sink so low. He remembered the desperate cries he had made, proclaiming, "I’m your daughter’s lover! I’m the father of your grandchild!" But the response had been chillingly indifferent.

"So what? You can just give birth to another child."

The memory struck him like a physical blow, and he felt himself growing faint with the pain of it all.

Despite the depth of his despair, he had been powerless to act; Jenny’s father, the man she adored, lay helpless in a hospital, monitored closely by her mother, who wouldn’t allow a moment of reprieve. All the while, their child remained under her control.

Amber had been left with no choice but to comply. To save his child, he had married the monster who had tormented him.

From that moment on, his life had become an unending cycle of horror. He had lost count of how many times that woman had touched him in ways that left him feeling like less than human, or how many times she had beaten him like an animal.

It had all blended together into a haze of suffering that felt almost unreal.

Yet, through it all, he had held onto a flicker of hope—a desperate belief that enduring the pain might one day lead him to protect Jenny and their child.

He still remembered the nights he had watched Jenny endure her own mother’s wrath, helpless to save her from the blows. The truth was, in their darkest moments, neither of them had cared about their own suffering.

Their sole focus had been on protecting their child, the fragile life that connected them both.

Esme observed them with a mix of curiosity and disdain, her smile fading as the weight of Amber’s memories filled the room.

"You think you can just endure this, don’t you?" she challenged, her voice low and dangerous. "But what will you do when it’s your child’s life on the line?"

The question hung heavy between them, a challenge that demanded a response. Amber and Jenny exchanged a glance, a silent communication passing between them, their shared determination crystallizing in the face of adversity.

They would do anything to protect their child, even if it meant facing the depths of despair together.

Esme’s piercing gaze fell on Amber and Jenny as she continued, "Do you really think a woman who has kidnapped her own grandchild, forced her son-in-law to marry her, and driven both of her daughters to the brink of mental collapse would let you live here?" She paused, the weight of her words sinking in, then added, "It’s already been two years of your marriage, hasn’t it? And I believe you have four years left."

Amber’s heart raced at the implication. "Four years?" he echoed, the dread creeping into his voice. He felt the room close in on him, suffocating in the realization of his grim future.

Esme leaned in closer, her voice lowering conspiratorially. "That woman will kill you after those four years. It’s a certainty." She allowed the words to linger, letting the impact wash over them.

Then she shifted her focus, her head slightly lowering to meet Jenny’s eyes. "Your child... I saw his facial expression today. Do you know what? He looks exactly like you."

The words struck Amber like a physical blow, freezing him in place. Any parent would typically feel joy at the knowledge that their child resembled them, but coming from Esme, it felt like a death knell. The despair settled in, heavy and cold.

Esme turned her gaze to Jenny, who sat trembling beside Amber. "You’ve lived with your mother the longest, so if I’m not mistaken, you’ve seen all your stepfathers before, haven’t you? Doesn’t it strike you that there’s one commonality among them?"

At that moment, Jenny felt as if the air had been knocked out of her lungs. She knew. How could she not? They all shared a similar look, a certain expression that reminded her of her uncle.

Her thoughts flickered to her sisters, the one who had been turned into a disabled person, and the realization hit her like ice water. She understood now why her mother had done what she had done; it was all about control and resemblance.

Tears streamed down Jenny’s face as she processed the truth that loomed over them. The haunting realization hit her hard—having a child that resembled them was a clear signal, a mark that could seal their fates. It was a worse fate than either of them had imagined. Her heart raced as she thought of what her mother might do if she discovered their child resembled Amber.

"Please, please," she cried, desperation lacing her voice. "We would do anything. Please save our child." The words tumbled out in a frantic plea, the only thought in her mind being the safety of her son. She knew in that moment that Esme was their only hope.