Chapter 3

Suddenly, Juniper grabbed my wrist and jerked me back toward her before locking herself in my embrace.

She was clinging tightly to my waist and soon started to sob into my shirt.

“Malik, why does it feel like you’re drifting away even though you’re back here by my side?”

She pressed her face against my neck while she whimpered.

“I… let’s have a child together. I don’t care if it’s a son or a daughter as long as it means you won’t leave!”

I kept my eyes downcast the entire time and was unmoved by the proposal.

When she looked at me, a trace of panic shone in her eyes.

At one point, we were expecting a child.

Around the same time, Frederick got sick and needed a blood transfusion. When that happened, she aborted my child without a second thought so she could donate blood to him.

I was heartbroken when it happened and ended up getting very sick, but that did not stop my parents from sticking by Frederick's side the entire time.

When it happened, all Juniper did was dismiss me.

“Malik, we’re still young, and there are plenty more chances for us to have children later on. Just make sure you take care of your body!

“Anyway, I’m going to see Frederick. See you!”

I did not see her again until I was discharged from the hospital.

When memories from the past came rushing back to me, I realized I had been numb for a while now.

I could still smell Frederick on her. His scent wormed into my nose like a snake.

It made me want to throw up. I turned away from her and ended up dry retching.

She froze instantly and slowly pulled away from me.

“What’s wrong? Do you need to go to the hospital?”

I did not respond, letting a harrowing silence descend upon the room.

“I… Jeremiah was just an accident.

“I thought about getting an abortion, but… the doctor told me this might be the only child Frederick will ever have!”

I nodded and remarked faintly, “Alright, I believe you.”

I paused briefly before looking at her again.

“I’m not feeling well. Why don’t you spend more time with him?”

She was enraged by my suggestion, evident by how her complexion turned pale.

When she caught a glimpse of my luggage out of the corner of her eye, she cried out, “You’re not planning to run away again, are you?

“You’d better think about what’s going to happen to Madame Curie. Are you sure you can handle the consequences?”

All I did was smile faintly.

“I’m not leaving…”

Suddenly, the door was flung open.

It was my mother storming in.

“Malik, why did you put peanuts in Frederick's and the boy’s milk! You should know he’s allergic to peanuts!”

I made eye contact with her and protested, “I did not do it!”

“Don’t even bother trying to deny it. The maid said you were the one who prepared the milk!”

Then, my father stepped up and slapped me across the face.

I could feel my cheek burning.

“You brute! Where's your manners? How low will you stoop just because you want to hoard the family inheritance for yourself?!”

Meanwhile, Frederick looked on with a frail look on his face.

“Maybe he didn’t do it on purpose…

“Even if he did, I understand why he wouldn’t accept my son and me…”

Then, he suddenly turned as white as a sheet.

“It hurts so much, my stomach…”

Jeremiah was crying for his mother as well, adding to the chaos.

Juniper panicked instantly, scooping Jeremiah into her arms while grabbing Frederick’s arm.

“Don't worry, Frederick, I’ve got you both.

“You forgot that we're taking him to the concert! We’re going to be the coolest family in attendance!”

I felt like my feelings had gone numb to the point where I did not feel pain anymore.

Like I was the only person in the room, despite being surrounded by people. When I felt the throbbing pain in my cheek, it occurred to me that perhaps I should cry.

Then, my phone rang.

It was my assistant calling.

“Sir, the tickets are booked, and the contract with Stehnbart Corporation has been finalized. You have my word that you and Madame Curie will be arriving at Senbald City in three days.”

My fingers shook at the thought that I would finally get to leave them for good.

As soon as I hung up, I received another call from the caregiver whose voice was frantic.

“Mr. Brenhart, it’s a disaster! Madame Curie’s condition has taken a turn for the worse! All the doctors in the ICU have been transferred to another hospital, so there are none available right now!”