Chapter 2

William urged Liam to say hello to Ruby.

Liam looked at me, his eyes wide with fear, but he didn't say a word.

Ruby looked annoyed, but she forced a smile and carried the cake over to Liam.

She said, "This is your favorite ice cream cake. I got it just for you. Come on, have a bite."

Without caring about Liam's reluctance, Ruby scooped up a big spoonful of cake and pushed it straight into his mouth.

I tried to rush over and stop Liam from eating it, but William grabbed my arm and held me back.

He looked at me with mixed emotions.

Meanwhile, Ruby was patting Liam's back, practically making him swallow the cake.

"No!" I shouted.

A bad feeling gnawed at me.

The urge to protect my son gave me strength I'd never known.

I broke free from William's grasp and rushed straight toward Liam.

"Don't eat it!" I yelled.

Seeing how panicked I was, Ruby let out a sarcastic snicker.

She said, "William, look at Vivian. She really treats your son like gold. Acts like I'm some kind of threat just for giving him a piece of cake."

William's eyes held an unreadable look.

Instead of scolding me, he came over and said soothingly, "It's his birthday. Let him have a couple of bites of cake. It's fine."

There was no one I could turn to about the anxiety and fear gnawing at me.

But when Liam finished the cake without any reaction, I held my tongue.

I spent the whole meal on edge, my nerves shot.

As I led Liam to the bathroom for his bath, he tried to be brave for me, looking up with that obedient little face.

He said, "Don't worry about me, Mom. I'm fine."

But before the words were even out, Liam's eyes suddenly rolled back in his head. He clutched his chest and collapsed right there in front of me.

"Liam!" I cried out, panic flooding my voice as I watched him collapse.

My terrified scream had everyone in the house rushing over in a frenzy.

Ruby's eyes flashed with glee when she saw Liam collapse, but she quickly masked it with concern.

She said, "Vivian, how do you even take care of Liam? He was perfectly fine at dinner, and now he's suddenly sick?

"William, hurry, take him to the private hospital."

As she spoke, she gave the servant a meaningful glance.

The servant immediately stepped forward, trying to pick Liam up.

I jolted, hugging Liam protectively as I backed into the corner.

I shouted, "Nobody lays a finger on my kid. I'm taking him to the public hospital myself."

William stood silently behind Ruby, saying nothing.

But when he saw how upset I was, clinging to Liam and refusing to let go no matter what, he frowned and walked over.

He bent down in front of me, trying to soothe me.

He said, "Vivian, please, listen to me. Liam suddenly got seriously ill. I'll have the driver take him to see a doctor right away."

William's expression softened, his voice full of concern, but no matter how gentle he seemed, I could still see the cold calculation and fake sympathy lurking in his eyes.

I shook my head, tears stinging my eyes.

"He's my son. I'll take care of him myself," I insisted.

Ruby rolled her eyes. "Oh, you really know how to take care of your kid, huh? You looked after him so well that he actually fainted," she sneered.

William cleared his throat and shot Ruby a warning look, telling her to keep quiet.

He paused for a moment, then spoke again, his voice still gentle.

He said, "Vivian, why won't you listen to me?

"No matter what, Liam's health is the most important thing. Don't you trust me to look after him as his dad?"

I looked at the face I'd loved for more than ten years, but now, all I felt was heartbreak and disappointment.

His phony affection would never fool me again.

Clutching Liam, I rose from the floor and headed straight for the door, not waiting for anyone.

I said, "Ruby hardly ever visits. You should make sure to be a good host."

I should've known. William and Ruby grew up together. There was no way I could ever come between them.

Back then, I was just a fool, thinking that having William's child would make him mine forever.

Now, I just wanted to escape.

Realizing he couldn't change my mind, William had no choice but to call me a ride.

Today, he was unusually attentive. He stuck by my side the whole time, helping me check in and waiting through the appointment.

The doctor examined Liam and said it was food poisoning.

I realized the cake Ruby fed Liam must have been the problem.

Liam had always been strong and healthy. There's no way he'd just pass out from eating a little cake, unless something was wrong with it.

William scolded me for not taking proper care of Liam and for insisting on doing things my way.

I just nodded obediently.

I said, "It's my fault this time. I'll stay at the hospital with Liam while he's on the drip. You should go home first."

Just as William turned to leave, I reached out and grabbed his arm.

I said softly, "Liam really loves you, you know. What he wants most every day is for you to come home early and have dinner with him."

Maybe it was because I knew this was goodbye. Even with all the resentment I felt toward William, I still couldn't stop myself from sharing how much Liam adored him.

I continued, "He always says he wants to be your pride. He's just a little kid, but he already dreams of standing shoulder to shoulder with you."

As I spoke, my voice grew thick with emotion, and I started to choke up, unable to hold back my tears.

For a split second, William seemed lost in a precious memory. A single tear glistened in his eyes.

I glanced at Liam, pale and weak in the hospital bed. My hands shook as I turned to William and asked, "If something happened to Liam, would you be heartbroken?"

William froze, something unreadable flickering in his eyes.

After a long silence, he finally nodded.

He said, "Of course. He's my own flesh and blood. I really do love him."

I just stared at William, silent.