Chapter 3

Claire's heart gave a painful jolt. She wondered if that boy was Edward's son.

But Edward had clearly told her that his thing with Jessica was just for show, and that Lily was his one and only child.

Claire suddenly realized that Edward had lied to her again.

With her eyes burning red from emotion, Claire stormed into the classroom. The lead teacher spotted her and hurried over to explain the situation once more.

But Claire was sure that her sweet, well-behaved daughter would never steal anything.

Jessica turned to Claire, a flash of smugness in her eyes as she took in Claire's flustered state. Pretending to be surprised, she said, "So you're Lily's mom? Fancy running into you again."

The teacher nodded eagerly. "So you're Mrs. Lane's friend? Well, that should make things much easier to handle."

"Friend? That's a stretch," Jessica sneered, her tone sharp and dripping with superiority. "Ms. Wynn tried to apply for a nanny job at my house the other day, but I didn't think she was qualified, so I told my husband to reject her."

Claire ignored the sarcasm in Jessica's eyes and pressed the teacher, "Where's my daughter?"

The teacher was momentarily at a loss for words, instinctively glancing at Jessica.

Jessica snorted but didn't bother to answer.

Claire's anxiety grew stronger until the little boy, who looked so much like Edward, pointed smugly at the bookshelf in the corner of the classroom. "Lily is a thief. Thieves deserve to be punished."

Claire's heart lurched. She rushed to the bookshelf and flung open the tightly shut door.

When the door swung open, she saw Lily curled up inside, her tiny hands and feet tied with thick ropes, the skin around them red and raw.

"Mommy, I'm not a thief. I didn't steal anything," Lily whimpered.

The two pigtails Claire had carefully styled for Lily that morning were now a tangled mess, and the bright red cherry hair ties looked dull.

Claire's heart felt like it was shattering as she saw Lily's face streaked with tears.

She hurriedly snatched up a pair of scissors and cut through the ropes, then pulled Lily into her trembling arms, softly comforting her, "Don't be scared, Lily. Mommy's here."

Lily burst into sobs, and only then did Claire realize her daughter's body was scorching hot to the touch.

Lily had a fever.

Claire's eyes were blazing with fury and anguish as she scooped Lily up and rushed toward the door.

But Jessica stepped right in front of her, blocking her path. "You're not leaving. Your daughter still hasn't apologized for stealing my son's necklace."

Claire shot her a furious glare and snapped, "You had no proof and abused my daughter. I'm not done with you. Just wait!"

Claire made to leave, but the bodyguard at the door stopped her cold.

Jessica sauntered over, arching her brow as she leaned in and whispered, "I'm Edward's wife. If I say your daughter's a thief, that's what she is.

"Because your daughter is a bastard child, and you're a homewrecker who has to hide in the shadows."

Claire glared at her, her eyes burning with uncontained rage.

Jessica really knew about her all along. And now she was calling Lily a bastard child.

Claire couldn't hold back anymore. Her fist shot out, landing square on Jessica's face.

Jessica staggered back, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth.

Edward rushed over and pulled Jessica securely into his arms.

Jessica pressed a hand to her face, acting all fragile, but her face was full of smug satisfaction, as if she'd expected this all along.

"Edward, this nanny's kid stole Tommy's necklace," she whined. "I told her to apologize, but she hit me instead."

Claire looked up and locked eyes with Edward, her gaze full of silent questions.

In that moment, Edward realized Claire knew about the son he'd been hiding from her, the one he had with Jessica.

But he simply avoided Claire's disappointed gaze, refusing to give her an explanation.

"Lily didn't steal anything. And this woman called Lily a bastard." Claire's voice was icy, her tone completely flat, giving nothing away.

Edward frowned, his eyes snapping to the necklace in his son Tommy's hand.

It was the one he gave Lily himself when he picked her and Claire up from the suburbs.

But he'd already given a same necklace to Tommy earlier.

He awkwardly rubbed his nose.

"Your daughter did steal my son's necklace," Edward said, avoiding Claire's shattered expression. "If you apologize for her, I'll let you leave. After all, as her mother, you ought to set a good example."

Claire glared at him in utter disbelief, her fists clenched so tight her nails bit into her palms.

Lily burrowed into Claire's arms, her voice soft. "Mommy, don't say sorry. I didn't steal anything."

Right after she said that, Lily fainted, burning up with fever.