Chapter 3

Ernie kicked me again, and a heavy ache shot through my chest.

"Shut your damn mouth, bitch!" Ernie spat. "Dad said Mom is the only woman he'll ever marry, and he'll love her forever.

"And I'm his only kid. He said Pridmore Group is going to be mine, all of it."

I stared at him, stunned. Pridmore Group was my company. How did it end up as Gabriel's?

I started Pridmore Group from scratch. I was the biggest shareholder and the chairwoman.

After I married Gabriel, he told me to focus on family and take it easy at home, and that he'd handle the company for me.

He said it was because he cared about me, that he didn't want me working myself to death, and that it would break his heart if I did.

Back then, I was so head over heels for Gabriel that I fell for every sweet lie he told. I handed the company over to him without a second thought.

But I was still the biggest shareholder and the chairwoman. Gabriel was just running things for me.

When did Pridmore Group end up in Gabriel's hands?

And it was even more ridiculous that he actually wanted to give away the company I worked my ass off to build up to his bastard son.

It seemed I'd been letting Gabriel walk all over me.

I said coldly, "Call Gabriel. I want to see him."

Ernie, fuming, whipped out his smartwatch and stabbed at the screen with his finger, calling Gabriel.

"Dad, someone's bullying me and Mom! Hurry and come save us after you park the car," Ernie said.

Gabriel's voice turned gentle on the other end, soothing him right away. "Don't be scared, buddy. I'll be up there soon to make them pay. For now, make sure you protect your mom, okay?"

Kate, who'd been all smug a moment ago, instantly switched gears and put on her cutest act. "Honey, hurry up. Ernie and I are totally getting bullied here."

I heard Gabriel chuckle, his voice dripping with doting warmth. "Alright, baby, I'm coming up right now. Just wait for your man to come and get revenge for you."

Hearing Gabriel sound so gentle, I froze for a second.

I'd never heard him talk to me like that, so sweet, so caring. With me, he was always distant, never said more than he had to.

I used to think that was just his nature.

But back when he was trying to win me over, he was all about me.

After we got married, though, he just kept getting colder.

It wasn't until today that I realized he just never bothered to show me any kindness.

Kate lifted her chin and shot me a smug look. "Just wait. When my husband gets here, he's going to teach you a real lesson."

Ernie kicked me hard in the chest again, and I couldn't help but cough.

"Who told you to mess with my mom? I'm gonna make you regret it!" he shouted. "My dad said we run Honstone City. Whatever we do, he'll always have our backs."

The crowd grew bigger, and their whispers were loud enough for me to catch every word.

"So this is Mrs. Huston and Mr. Huston. You mess with them, you're in for it!"

"Wait, since when did Mr. Huston have a kid? How did I miss that?"

"Rich folks are always so secretive. Mrs. Huston's always been super low-key, hardly ever seen in public. It wouldn't be a surprise that she didn't announce having a child."

I'd always kept a low profile, never making my identity known to the public.

But now, some shameless imposter dared to parade around as me and drag my name through the mud.

I lifted my head, my voice hoarse. "I'm the real Mrs. Huston," I declared.

Kate let out a mocking laugh, then raked her nails viciously across my face.

"Don't you know when to quit lying? My husband's about to pick me up. I can't wait to see how you keep pretending," Kate sneered.

Ernie charged at me, headbutting me right in the stomach. "Shut up, you bitch. Mrs. Huston is my mom."

Just then, someone shouldered his way through the crowd. Gabriel strode straight over to Kate, not even sparing a glance at anyone else.

He pulled Kate into his arms with one arm and scooped Ernie up with the other, his voice dripping with affection.

"Your man's here. I'm here to stand up for you both," he said.

Kate whined, putting on her most pitiful act. "Honey, you're here. This bitch keeps claiming she's your wife."

Gabriel's eyes went cold. "I've got only one wife, and she's standing right next to me. Who dares to fake being my wife?"

With that, he ruffled Kate's hair and started walking straight toward me.

He looked down at me, his voice icy. "So you're the one messing with my wife and kid?"

Before I could react, he grabbed my collar, his hand already raised to slap me.

But when he finally saw my face, he went pale as a ghost, and panic flashed in his eyes.

Seeing him freeze up, Kate quickly urged, "Honey, hurry up and teach her a lesson for us."

Gabriel didn't do anything. He quietly let go of me.