Chapter 5

Stephanie gave a knowing look to the servant, and the divorce papers were immediately handed to Luke. His name and Kayla's were printed in bold, glaring letters.

Luke's hands clenched. In a flash of anger, he ripped the papers in two. His voice was sharp, almost strangled.

"You can't divorce me. How could you even think of divorcing me?"

Stephanie put on a concerned expression.

"Luke, you've treated my sister so well, and she still wants a divorce. Could it be that... she's fallen for someone else?"

That was all it took. Luke completely lost control. He grabbed Kayla's wrist, gripping so hard it hurt.

"Luke, let go of me!"

"Never!"

His eyes were bloodshot, his breathing heavy with rage.

"Whoever that man is, I'll kill him myself. And you... Kayla, you will never leave me. You're mine. Forever!"

Of course, Luke never found this so-called other man. But from that day on, he no longer allowed Kayla to leave the house.

He claimed it was for her and the baby's safety, but in truth, it was imprisonment.

Around the villa, a twenty-four-hour automated security system was installed, along with rotating guards. No one was allowed in or out. Inside, all the servants were replaced with unfamiliar faces. After Luke discovered the flight information on Kayla's phone, he confiscated every communication device she owned, cutting her off completely from the outside world.

"I know this isn't fair to you," Luke said, his tone deceptively gentle. "But I will never let you end the child we fought so hard for. And I certainly won't let you hire a lawyer or file for divorce.

"Kayla, be good. I've spoken to the doctor. Your extreme emotions are just hormones from the pregnancy. Once you give birth to our child, you'll come to your senses."

Come to her senses? Did that mean accepting that her own child was being labeled a worthless illegitimate child by everyone? Or accepting that her husband was the father of another woman's child?

Kayla said nothing and only looked at Luke calmly. That quiet gaze alone was enough to strip the once-invincible businessman of all composure, forcing him to retreat from her room in disarray.

She was locked away for half a month.

She missed the abortion appointment she had scheduled.

She also missed the flight that could have carried her to freedom.

Not long after, Luke's mother, Katie Lloyd, arrived.

The moment Katie stepped through the door, she coldly ordered Kayla to kneel.

"You shameless wretch. Has Luke not done enough for you? For you, he went against his entire family. He begged them until they almost disowned him, took every consequence they threw at him, and nearly destroyed himself in the process. He ended up in the hospital for a month and almost didn't make it out alive. He even scheduled a vasectomy for you! And how did you repay him? You cheated on him. You dared to get pregnant with another man's child. How can a woman be this disgusting? I'll kill you!"

Stephanie stood to the side, putting on a show of concern.

"Please calm down, Madam Hudson. My sister just can't stand being lonely. That's why she kept sneaking around with other men. Please forgive her this once."

The more Katie listened, the angrier she became. She raised her hand to slap Kayla.

However, Kayla caught her wrist.

"My child is not illegitimate."

"What did you say?"

"I said, the child I'm carrying is Luke's."

Panic flashed across Stephanie's face. She rushed forward, grabbing Katie's arm.

"Madam Hudson, she's lying just to escape punishment. Please have someone shut her up."

Kayla swung backhandedly and slapped Stephanie hard. Then she looked straight at Katie and said, "The illegitimate child is the one in her belly. If you don't believe me, I can go with you right now and do a paternity test."