Chapter 3

Early the next morning, noise downstairs woke Daisy from her sleep.

She walked to the window and saw several Verdant family's Commission members standing outside the manor.

The bedroom door opened. Dario walked in with a calm expression on his face.

"Daisy, you're awake," he said. "The family heard you're pregnant. Everyone came to congratulate you."

Daisy looked at him. "I'm not pregnant, Dario. Let's get divorced."

Dario chuckled before gently brushing his thumb against her chin. "What are you throwing a tantrum about now? Daisy, where exactly would you go without me?"

"Where I go isn't your concern. Dario, I want a divorce," she repeated.

Dario pulled away and adjusted his cufflinks. "Daisy, my patience has limits. If you hadn't been unable to get pregnant all these years, would I even have gotten involved with Julia? Besides, you don't have parents, a job, or any money. After divorcing me, where could you possibly go? Without me, you probably wouldn't last two days. So stop being unreasonable."

He turned toward the door.

"Get ready. They're waiting for you."

Daisy stood still. Her nails dug deep into her palms.

This time, she stopped trying to negotiate a peaceful divorce with Dario.

She needed another way out of this marriage.

By the time Daisy came downstairs, Dario and Julia were already standing near the entrance.

Julia had one arm looped around Dario's while her other hand rested over her stomach. When she saw Daisy, she smiled.

The doors opened.

Members of the Commission, family members, and maids all turned to look.

Dario spoke first. "Daisy is pregnant."

Congratulations immediately echoed through the room. Some praised Daisy for finally giving the Verdant family an heir.

Daisy stood at the top of the staircase. Her fingertips felt cold, and she said nothing. She only stared directly at Dario.

He met her gaze and lifted his brows slightly. The warning in his gaze was unmistakable. It was as if he was saying, 'Behave yourself. Don't cause trouble.'

Julia took one step down the stairs. She smiled and waved at the crowd as she gently cradled her stomach. "Daisy's health is fragile, and the pregnancy isn't stable yet. Everyone, please don't crowd around and tire her out."

With one sentence, she reinforced the lie while making herself appear generous and considerate.

Watching the two of them perform together, Daisy suddenly smiled.

"I'm not pregnant."

Her voice wasn't loud, but it echoed clearly through the entire living room.

Instantly, the congratulations stopped. Everyone looked at her.

Julia's smile disappeared.

Dario's expression darkened immediately. "Daisy, what nonsense are you talking about?"

"I'm not talking nonsense."

Daisy lifted a hand and gently touched the emerald pendant resting against her chest. The gemstone felt icy against her skin. She then looked across the room and spoke each word slowly and clearly. "The one who's pregnant is Julia, not me. The baby she's carrying is yours."

The air in the room suddenly felt tense.

Julia's face turned pale. She instinctively retreated behind Dario and grabbed his arm. "Dario, why would Daisy say something like that?"

The atmosphere around Dario became terrifyingly cold. He stared at Daisy as if he wanted to skin her alive. "Daisy, have you lost your mind?"

"I haven't." Daisy met his gaze without flinching. She repeated what she said.

"Dario, Julia is the one who's pregnant."

Silence filled the room. Everyone gasped. The expressions of several of the older Commission members had visibly changed.

Dario's expression darkened completely. He strode toward Daisy, grabbed her wrist, and squeezed so hard it felt like her bones might shatter.

He yanked her toward him and lowered his voice. There was an intimidating coldness in his voice. "I think the stress of pregnancy has made you delirious."

He turned back to the crowd with a pleasant smile. "Daisy's just anxious because of the pregnancy. Please don't mind her."

The guests left in uncertainty. After they were gone, Julia sat down on the sofa and rubbed her legs dramatically. "I've been standing forever. My legs hurt so much."

She looked up at Dario. "Dario, my legs are swollen. Can you ask Daisy to massage my feet?"

Dario frowned. "Julia, don't push it too far."

Julia's eyes welled up with tears as she tugged at his sleeve. "But I'm carrying your baby."

Dario sighed and turned to face Daisy. "Daisy, go massage her feet."

Daisy didn't move.

His tone turned deeper. "It's just a massage. Consider it your punishment for disobeying me earlier."

A maid brought over a basin of water and placed it near Julia's feet.

Daisy crouched down and lowered Julia's feet into the warm water.

Julia looked down at her and slowly smiled.

The moment the water covered her ankles, Julia suddenly screamed and jerked her feet back.

The basin overturned and spilled water across the floor.

"It's burning hot! Daisy, did you do that on purpose?" Julia held her feet while tears streamed down her face.

Dario strode over immediately and crouched to inspect the reddened skin on Julia's feet.

"It hurts so much." Julia whimpered as she leaned into his arms.

Dario lifted Julia into his arms and shot Daisy a cold look over his shoulder. "You can't even manage something this simple. Go back to your room."

With that, he carried Julia upstairs.