Chapter 4

The moment I said that, Steve's face darkened.

"Cassidy, who the heck do you think you are to comment on my business?"

Before I could respond, Rachel suddenly gasped, pointing at my clothes.

"Steve, look—her outfit… it looks like it's from the Becker family."

She wasn't wrong. The Becker family's clothes were always custom-tailored, each hem stitched with a discreet little "Becker."

At her words, Steve's expression grew uglier. His gaze swept over me, sharp and mocking.

"No wonder you turned your nose up at the job I offered. So you've climbed your way into the Becker household. Is being their servant better than serving mine?"

His voice dripped with spite.

"In that case, I'll give you a chance. Bring us into the Becker residence, and I'll give you what you've always wanted. We'll finish that wedding we never had. I know it's your life's biggest regret, isn't it?"

A laugh escaped me.

So, he still didn't know.

The day he ran off with Rachel, I had called Lawrence and finished that wedding without Steve.

But I had no interest in explaining.

I brushed his hand away coolly.

"Not interested. Leave. I need to go home."

Steve stepped forward to block me again, but before he could, Rachel let out a sharp cry.

"Steve, look! Isn't that Lawrence?"

I turned and saw Lawrence holding our two little daughters in his arms.

The sight made me smile. I was just about to wave him over when Rachel darted in front of me.

"Cassidy, what do you think you're doing?"

At her words, Steve's eyes snapped back to me. Rachel clutched his sleeve nervously.

"Steve, she's going to slander us to Lawrence. She works for the Becker family. If she says anything, he'll believe her."

Steve caught her meaning immediately. His hand clamped down on my arm.

"No! I won't let you go to him."

Rachel seized my other arm and started dragging me away.

"Lock her up!"

I struggled, my voice frantic. "Stop! I'm Lawrence's—"

Smack!

Her palm cracked against my face before I could finish.

"You were going to say you're Lawrence's wife? You? What gives you the right?"

As if one slap weren't enough, Rachel struck me again, harder, her fury spilling over.

I let out a cold laugh, glaring at them both. "You're finished."

Steve scowled, about to retort—when he realized Lawrence had already reached the gate.

He yanked me upright, muttering under his breath.

"Lawrence is here. Watch your mouth. Think carefully about what you should and shouldn't say."

I rubbed at my burning cheek, disgust twisting in my chest at the sight of him.

By then, Lawrence had stepped out with our daughters.

His gaze found me, and he began walking toward us. The little ones wriggled out of his arms the moment they saw me, their small feet carrying them as fast as they could.

"Cassidy," Steve said quickly, desperation seeping into his voice. "If you'll stop being jealous and causing trouble with Rachel, I'll forgive you for deceiving me for ten years. I'll give you another chance. We can marry. This time, I won't leave with her."

I didn't even look at him. My eyes were on the two little girls racing toward me.

And then, finally, they barreled into my arms.

"Mommy!"