Chapter 4

The woman stood up with a smile. "Mrs. Cooper was here first, so she should choose first. I'll wait outside."

She turned and said softly, "Shawn, Sharon, let's go."

Shawn lingered, still staring at Steven with a trace of confusion in his eyes. Sharon, her eyes brimming with tears, looked back at every step until her mother finally picked her up and carried her away.

The VIP room fell into an eerie silence. Even the once-enthusiastic store clerks stood frozen, too afraid to utter a word.

Breaking the silence, Lucy smiled. "Why is everyone so quiet? Am I that terrifying?"

The store manager let out an awkward chuckle. "Of course not. We just worry these styles might not be to your liking."

"I like them. I'll take this one. Do you have a plain band for me to try on for size?"

"Yes, absolutely. I'll bring it right away."

The clerks quickly filed out, leaving only Steven and Lucy in the room.

The stillness was almost tangible—so quiet that even a needle dropping to the floor would have been deafening.

Bzzz—

Steven's phone vibrated.

He didn't move.

A few seconds later, it rang outright.

Lucy, flipping through a catalog in boredom, spoke without looking up. "Why aren't you answering? What if it's something important from work?"

After a brief hesitation, Steven picked up his phone and stood. "I'll take this outside. I'll be back soon."

"Mm."

He left quickly.

Almost the moment the door shut behind him, Lucy's own phone vibrated.

A text from an unknown number.

[Mrs. Cooper, come to the underground parking lot. You'll find what you want to know.]

She didn't take the elevator.

Instead, she walked down the stairs to basement level one.

From a distance, she could already hear Steven's voice, sharp with anger. "How many times have I told you? Don't show up in front of Lucy. Do you not understand?"

A woman's voice, choked with tears, answered. "I understand. But the children don't. They just miss their daddy. Especially Sharon—she's been crying so much her voice is hoarse. Do you know how much that hurts me as a mother?"

Sharon didn't understand the undercurrents between the adults. She only knew that her parents seemed to be fighting.

With a wail, Sharon burst into tears. "Daddy, don't fight with Mommy! It's all my fault! It's because I'm bad…"

Her sobs doused Steven's anger like a sudden downpour.

Kneeling, he carefully pulled her into his arms, using the softest part of his sleeve to wipe her tears. "It's not your fault, Sharon. Don't cry."

Shawn asked outright, "Dad, why did you say you don't know us? Is it because of that lady with you? Who is she?"

Steven took a deep breath. "I have my reasons."

Shawn, stubborn and unwilling to let things go, pressed further. "You're always not home with us and Mommy. Is it because you're with her? Is she a mistress?"

His response was immediate. "She's not."

His tone toward the woman turned cold. "Where did he learn that word? Did you teach him?"

Tears spilled down the woman's face as she covered her mouth. "Shawn and Sharon have grown up without their father around. Their teachers say they're more sensitive than other children. Is it so strange that they understand things beyond their years?"

At that, Sharon's cries grew louder. "Daddy, the kids at school say I don't have a dad. I tell them I do, but they've never seen you, so they don't believe me. No matter what I say, they just laugh at me…"

Shawn didn't cry, but his voice tightened with emotion. "Daddy, I learned the word from TV. There was a kid whose father was never home because he had another woman outside. The show called her a mistress."

Steven's expression shifted.

The anger in his eyes dulled, replaced by something heavier. Guilt.

From the shadows, Lucy observed it all, taking in every flicker of emotion on his face.

No matter what he felt for that woman—love, convenience, obligation—the children were undeniably his.

And as a father, how could he not be moved by their accusations?

Sure enough, Steven crouched down, pulling both children into his arms. His voice softened. "Daddy's been busy with work, that's why I haven't been around. But next time there's a school event, I'll be there. I promise."

Shawn eyed him suspiciously. "Really?"

Steven nodded firmly. "Really. I'll make sure all your classmates know you have a daddy."

Sharon clung to his neck, rocking side to side. "Daddy, come with Mommy too! The other kids' parents go together. And Daddy, you have to hold Mommy when we play games!"

Lucy lifted her head slightly.

She wanted to hear his response.

Steven didn't even hesitate. "Okay, Daddy and Mommy will go together."

Sharon beamed. "And Daddy has to hold Mommy!"

A warm smile spread across Steven's face. "Alright, Daddy will hold Mommy."

Lucy had heard enough.

She turned and left.

Back at the jewelry store, the VIP room was empty.

She picked up her bag and walked out.

The store manager noticed and hurried after her. "Mrs. Cooper, have you decided on the rings?"

Lucy smiled. "From now on, don't call me Mrs. Cooper."

The manager let out a nervous chuckle. "But… you are Mrs. Cooper."

Bzzz—

Her phone vibrated again.

The same unknown number.

[The ring you picked? Steven already promised it to me. The designer will engrave our initials on the inside. It's lasting and unchangeable, just like what between me and Steven. My initials will be on his ring. We have two children already. Sooner or later, Steven will leave you for us.]

Lucy typed only five words in reply.

[I don't want him anymore.]