Chapter 2

Ella had a twisted possessiveness over Gareth.

At this moment, Ella was pointing at my daughter, covering her mouth in mock horror:

"Gareth, no wonder I found this kid off-putting. Turns out she's a bastard."

She called out loudly and dramatically, her sharp nails poking an impression into my daughter's skin.

"So ugly, all wrinkled like a little old man. They say daughters look like their fathers. Clara, you really aren't picky—you'll take anything."

Gareth's expression was distant and cold.

"Clara, since this isn't my child, she doesn't deserve to stay in this private room. Take the baby and leave immediately."

I looked up at Ella's smug face.

She wore haute couture Chanel, and the diamond on her high heels could pay for a hundred private rooms.

Then I thought of myself—coming out of the delivery room alone with my daughter, not even a nurse to help.

I smiled bitterly.

So Mary and I together weren't worth as much as one of Ella's whims.

Suddenly, Ella stumbled, her whole body falling onto me.

The moment she fell, she deliberately pressed hard on the surgical incision on my stomach with her hand.

Unfortunately, Gareth was in a blind spot and couldn't see. He frantically pulled Ella up, asking with concern:

"What happened? Are you hurt?"

He didn't notice at all that I was covered in sweat on the hospital bed, my face twisted in pain.

Ella's action had torn open the fine stitches on my stomach, and the wound started bleeding again.

I held Mary and struggled to move my legs.

With the slightest movement, hot fluid gushed from the wound, staining the bed red.

Ella screamed,

"Ah—how disgusting! All that filthy blood flowing out, so ugly and smelly. I'm going to have nightmares tonight!"

She shrieked and burrowed into Gareth's arms.

Gareth yanked the blanket off with one hand.

Cold air rushed into the bed, exposing my body wearing only a postpartum pad.

On my stomach was an eight-centimeter incision, blood trickling out continuously, dripping onto the floor.

Through the open hospital room door, people came and went.

I was so mortified I wanted to disappear, like being stripped naked and thrown into the street.

"Cover me up."

My voice trembled with shame.

Gareth looked somewhat uncomfortable. He turned to block the view from outside and reached to pull the blanket back.

"Enough. Going out looking like this, people will think we did something to you."

He glanced at the bodyguard. "Go get a wheelchair and take her to a regular room."

Ella immediately objected. "Gareth, this is the shameless woman who cuckolded you. You should make her walk out like this, so everyone in the hospital can see what a homewrecker looks like and what price cheating comes with."

"But..."

"Gareth! At a time like this, are you still going to protect this woman and her bastard?"

Ella's eyes instantly reddened, her questioning voice sharp and shrill.

Seeing her like this, Gareth sighed, his eyes full of indulgent helplessness.

"Fine, fine, fine. You're the most important person to me. Whatever you say goes."

Ella hummed with satisfaction.

She swaggered ahead of me, clapping her hands and loudly broadcasting my "affair."

"Everyone come look! This shameless woman had an affair and tried to make my brother raise another man's child! What a shameless slut. Everyone better keep your eyes open and watch out so she doesn't seduce your mates!"

The stares from people around felt like the sharpest knives, stabbing from all directions.

Someone flew into a rage, grabbed their thermos of food, and threw it all over me.

The hot porridge was scalding, instantly raising blisters on my exposed skin.

Gareth didn't even look at me.

He stayed by Ella's side, silently kicking away the pebbles under her feet, doing everything to clear obstacles for her.

Watching this scene, my heart felt like it was being pressed by water-soaked cotton—suffocating and unbearable.

Gritting my teeth, I made it to the regular room, my legs already weak as noodles.

Lying powerless on the hospital bed, I curled up with Mary.

Mary, you don't have a father anymore.

But it's okay. After tonight, we mother and daughter will finally have a fresh start.