Chapter 3
A week later, Declan suddenly came home.]
Callie was surprised–by all rights, he should be glued to Mia’s side.[]
“Family dinner tonight. Get changed,” he said curtly.[]
Callie got it, silently changed into appropriate formal wear and went out with him.]
At the family dinner, everyone was raising glasses and making small talk.]]
As the conversation went on, the topic turned to her and Declan.[]
“You two have been married three years now–time to have a kid.“[]
“Yeah, Declan’s the family head now. He’s gotta have an heir.“[]
“Callie, you really need to get on it…”
Callie kept her eyes down, listening in silence, her fingertips mindlessly tracing the rim of her glass.[]
Just then, Declan, who hadn’t said a word the whole time, suddenly spoke up.[]
“No rush.”
His voice wasn’t loud, but it made the entire dining room go dead silent.[]
Everyone’s expression changed, but given Declan’s current status as family head, nobody dared say another word.[]
The atmosphere turned ice–cold, and the meal finally ended in eerie silence.[]
After dinner, Declan’s mother stood up, her gaze sharp as she looked at Callie: “Callie, come with me to the study.“[]
Anyone with eyes could see this was about pressuring her on the baby thing.
Declan obviously picked up on it too, frowning: “Whatever you wanna say, say it to me directly.“]
Just as his mother was about to speak, Declan’s phone suddenly rang.
He glanced at the caller ID, his expression shifting slightly, and immediately stepped aside to take the call, his tone gentler than she’d ever heard: “Mia? What’s wrong?“]
His mother let out a cold snort and said directly to Callie: “Come with me.“]]
Callie pressed her lips together and silently followed.
The moment the study door closed, his mother’s face turned stormy.[]
“Kneel.”
Callie slowly knelt on the cold marble floor.]]
“Do you know what you did wrong?” Ifis mother looked down at her from above.[]
Callie kept her eyes lowered, saying nothing.
“Smack!”
His mother slammed the table hard. “Wrong because when Declan said there’s no rush for kids, you didn’t talk him out of it!“]
She pulled a porcelain bottle from the drawer and slammed it heavily on the desk: “This is fertility medicine. Starting today, you drink this every day, you sleep with Declan, until you get pregnant.“[]
If this were before, Callie would have obediently taken it.]
Bnt this time, she lifted her head, her voice soft but firm: “I’m not taking this medicine.”
His mother’s pupils contracted: “What did you say?“[]
“I’m not taking this medicine. Declan doesn’t want kids right now, and I respect his decision.“]]
All these years, every time they slept together, Declan would use protection.[]
Even on the rare occasions when he lost control in the heat of the moment, he’d make sure she took morning after pills first thing.]
She used to naively think he just didn’t want kids temporarily.[]
Now she finally know—he’d never once thought about having children with her.[]
Now that she’d decided to leave, she definitely wasn’t going to get pregnant with his child and create more ties.]
“What did you say?” His mother’s voice shot up.]
“I won’t take it.” Callie repeated.[]
You’ve lost your mind!” His mother was shaking with rage. “As a daughter–in–law, you’re not doing your duty! Declan donated bone marrow to that Mia girl’s mother, and you didn’t even try to stop him!“]]
She shouted sharply: “Bring the family punishment!“]
Soon, a maid brought the family punishment–a cane that had been soaked in salt water.
His mother stood holding the cane, shouting sternly: “Last chance–you gonna take this medicine or not?“]
Callie shook her head.[]
CRACK!
The first lash struck. Blistering pain exploded from her back, radiating to every limb. She clenched her jaw, cold sweat soaking through her shirt in an instant.
“Are you taking it or not?“]
Callie still shook her head, jaw locked.]
The cane fell again and again.
Through the floor–to–ceiling window, she could see Declan still on the phone in the garden.[]
His back was to the study, his posture relaxed, chuckling from time to time–clearly having a blast with Mia.[]
Tears of fake L
