As soon as the thought crossed his mind, Andrew called Emily. She let the call ring out, just as he expected. He didn't mind, though, and dialed her number again.

He waved the driver back into the car, and they pulled onto the road once more.

This time, Emily picked up. Her tone was distant and polite. "Is there something you need, Mr. Lane?"

"Did you just leave the charity gala?" Andrew asked.

There was a pause on the line. "Were you there, Mr. Lane?”

"I meant to go, but I couldn't make it," he replied.

Emily was silent for a moment. "Is there anything else?"

Andrew looked at the gift bag sitting beside him. “I got you something. Can I bring it over tonight?"

She kept her voice steady, almost cold. "That's not necessary, Mr. Lane. I don't need anything."

He just smiled, acting like he hadn't heard her at all. "I'll bring it by tonight. Just make sure to get it, alright?"

Emily hung up. Her face was tight with frustration.

Emma, lost in thoughts about what had happened at the gala, caught sight of Emily's expression and asked without thinking, "What's wrong?"

Emily just shook her head. "It's nothing."

Emma seemed a little out of it, but Emily leaned in and told her quietly, "You should stay home for the next few days. Don't go out."

Emma muttered a quiet "okay," but then the anger started bubbling up again. She rambled, her words tumbling out in frustration. "Who do they think they are, saying things like that? Like they're some kind of royalty. 'I only have Isabella Austin as a daughter,' can you believe it? As if we're begging to be a part of their family. I'd rather spit on that. They don't want you, well, you don't want them either. The way they yelled... it was awful. Anyone overhearing would have thought they were just screaming in the street."

"That family... you're better off staying away. I worry that if you ever went back, they'd lock you up and do who knows what behind closed doors.” Emma's cheeks were flushed with anger as she remembered what Isabella's mother had said. "If I'd known they'd treat you like this, I never would have pushed for you to find them. You didn't deserve to be yelled at for no reason. The more I think about it, the angrier I get. Makes me want to dump a bucket of slop right on their heads. They're not even worth that."

Emily noticed the driver glancing at them through the rearview mirror and gently stopped Emma. “Mom, that's enough. Let's talk about it when we get home.”

Emma looked at her, eyes full of worry and love.

Emily had grown up switched at birth, missing out on the life she should have had. She'd fought through so much, finally found her real parents, only to be rejected and treated like she was nothing. To Emma, it didn't matter that Emily wasn't her biological daughter. She had raised her from the very beginning, loved her just the same.

She had gone to fight for Emily, hoping to get back what belonged to her. All she got in return was insult after insult.

Emma's heart twisted with anger and pain. She reached for Emily's arm. "We're not going to look for them anymore."

Emily answered softly, "Let's just drop it."

The car slipped into the underground garage, and mother and daughter headed upstairs together.

Not long after they went inside, a black SUV rolled up in front of their building.

Inside, Andrew Lane picked up his phone and called Emily again.

She saw his name light up on her screen and frowned. She knew if she ignored him, he'd just keep calling, so she picked up.