3
Declan stammered, his eyes darting away.
“Seraphina’s children were constantly getting bullied at school. If I acknowledged them, no one would dare mess with them anymore.”
“She’s a single mom, it’s not easy for her, you can understand that, right?”
He reached out, taking my hand and gently stroking it.
A wave of nausea washed over me. I pulled my hand away and left.
I just had to wait for Liam to finalize the property division, then I’d be free.
The next day, when I arrived at the banquet hall, Seraphina and Declan were dressed in extravagant evening wear, greeting guests at the
entrance.
Anyone who didn’t know them would think they were the couple of honor.
In the past, Declan always had custom gowns made for me for every event, big or small.
I walked up to Declan, gesturing to my simple attire, then to Seraphina’s elaborate gown.
“What is the meaning of this?”
Declan waved his hand dismissively.
“Seraphina hasn’t worn such beautiful clothes before. Anyway, the children are the stars tonight.”
“It doesn’t matter what you wear, does it?”
Even though I was determined to leave, seeing the husband I’d loved for so many years like this, my heart still twisted with a sharp, familiar pain.
I wandered aimlessly through the banquet, eventually finding myself in the children’s resting room.
8:44 AM
<
I wandered aimlessly through the banquet, eventually finding myself in the children’s resting room.
Looking at the two sleeping infants in their cribs, I thought of my own baby, who would someday be just as adorable, and reached out to hold
them.
Suddenly, the older children who had been playing nearby rushed over, grabbing my arms and biting down hard.
The others ran to the door, screaming that I was trying to kill the babies.
They ganged up, pushing me to the floor, pulling my hair, and splashing water on me.
Soon, the guests and Declan rushed into the room.
The children, seeing them, immediately sat on the floor and started crying.
Declan shoved through the crowd, hurrying to my side.
Without a word, he slapped me, not once, but ten times.
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W p it all al ll lllam qu
V
apat ili uni idha ili
***
I was too stunned to speak, my cheeks swelling painfully.
Seraphina clutched a child, sobbing hysterically.
“Mrs. Thorne, just because you can’t have children, do you have to harm other people’s children?”
It happened so fast.
I hadn’t even processed it, only felt the screaming pain from every part of my body.
