Chapter 5

"No need to bother Rudolf. I'll just take a hot shower," I said with a hoarse voice, shaking my head. I then went upstairs without another glance at the maid and shut myself in my room.

Sitting on the bathroom floor, I finally broke down and sobbed loudly, letting out screams of gut-wrenching pain I couldn't hold back.

I thought I was immune after seeing the photos of Rudolf with Vivian and their child, Sean. But seeing them together in person as a family ripped the wound wide open, torturing me repeatedly.

No matter how strong I tried to be, I was fragile at this moment.

I wanted to ask Rudolf—why was the man who once swore eternal love to me also the same man who had a child with someone else?

But what would asking him do to undo his betrayal?

No.

Asking him wouldn't do anything.

After a long time, when my tears finally ran dry, I changed clothes and lay on the bed. At that moment, my face hardened. I felt like nothing could scare me anymore.

The next day, I went to the office. Work kept me busy until nightfall. Rudolf sent me countless messages during this time. I didn't read them, didn't reply.

That evening, when I got home, I planned to pack my things and leave. But the moment I opened the door, I heard the sound of a child's laughter. Vivian was standing right in front of me.

She was wearing a maid's uniform, her face bare.

In the living room, a little boy was playing noisily, leaving the place a mess.

Rudolf appeared from behind Vivian when she saw me coming home. Smiling, he gestured toward her. "Lia, this is the maid my mother sent to help take care of the boy."

My brows furrowed tightly, my lips pressing tight. Even breathing was taking effort.

How dare he…? How dare he bring the two of them into our home so openly?

Noticing my expression, Rudolf quickly explained, "Honey, I sent you a message this afternoon, but maybe you missed it. My mother brought this boy from the orphanage. She said it was destiny that brought him to us, and suggested we adopt him."

I gave a cold laugh.

I had already cried out all my grief. What remained was only anger.

Because he was treating me like a fool!

"Rudolf, are you doing this on purpose? Are you trying to mock me because I can't have children?"

His expression shifted. Clearly, he didn't expect such a sharp reaction. His explanation came out flustered.

"No, it's not like that. Please don't be mad. It's just that… The Gray family can't be without an heir. The elders have been pressuring me, so I agreed to my mother's request. If you really don't like it, I'll send him away immediately," Rudolf said.

Everyone knew Rudolf adored me. He never forced me into anything I disliked. It was as if they all believed that, as long as I refused it, he would send the boy away. None of them knew the truth that the boy was his biological son.

It was obvious that his love for me was fake, and it made me feel disgusted.

When I stayed silent, he grew anxious.

"It's my fault, honey. I'll send the boy away tomorrow." I could see the frustration on his face, yet he was still being patient with me. "Don't be angry. You've had a long day at work. Get some rest upstairs."

I sneered.

This was just him trying to brush me off so he could get the boy to stay one more day. He would then think of a way so he could make the boy stay permanently.

I was about to speak when the boy suddenly burst into tears, running over to kick my leg.

"You're a bad person! You're bullying my dad! I don't like you!"

Rudolf's face changed instantly. He rushed over to pull Sean away. "Sean, stop doing that! No… Shut up!"

The boy then looked at Rudolf with reproachful eyes, his crying sharp and piercing.

"Ah… Daddy, why are you together with her? Don't you want me anymore?"