I Gave Him My Kidney, He Gave Her My Children.

"Grab her arms," the taller guard instructed his partner.

Rough hands clamped down on my biceps. The men wore matching black suits, their expressions vacant.

"Do not touch me," I warned, planting my feet firmly into the floorboards.

"Make it quick," Liam ordered from his chair. "She is upsetting the children."

The second guard yanked me forward.

My sneakers skidded across the smooth marble.

"Release me!" I shouted, twisting my torso to shake off their grip.

"Ma'am, we can do this the easy way or the hard way," the taller guard grunted, tightening his fingers around my bruised flesh.

"I live here," I snapped back. "You work for me."

"Mr. Monroe signs our checks," the second guard replied flatly. "Now move your feet."

I dug my heels into the intricate pattern of the rug. "Liam, tell them to stop. Tell them to back off."

"Why would I do that?" Liam asked, crossing his arms over his chest. "You are trespassing."

"Trespassing?" I laughed bitterly. "My name is on the deed to this house. Half of this estate belongs to me."

Maya stepped forward, smoothing her perfect hair. "Not anymore, Clara. Liam had his lawyers draft the new paperwork yesterday."

"You cannot remove me from the deed without my signature," I argued.

"You abandoned him," Maya said softly. "The judge granted an emergency injunction based on your desertion."

"That is impossible," I shot back. "It has been three days."

"Money moves mountains, Clara," Liam stated coldly. "Now get out of my sight."

The taller guard pulled my left arm hard.

The sudden, violent movement ripped straight through my fresh sutures. A scream lodged right in the center of