Love's Bitter Truth

Each cry seemed to tear at my heart. If my children with Jonathan had been born, would they have called out "Daddy" and "Mommy" in such sweet voices too?Jonathan's fleeting guilt vanished instantly. He grabbed Linda's arm to stop her from leaving. His voice was firm."I still make the decisions in the Rivers household. If I say Henry is my child, then he is my child! It doesn't matter if Claire refuses to accept it!"He determinedly took Linda's hand and brought her and Henry back inside.Jonathan settled them in the master bedroom. It was only after that did he spare some attention for me, who was standing dazed in the living room."Claire, Henry wants to sleep in the master bedroom with Linda and me, so you’ll need to move out for this month. You can move back when he's adjusted to the change here."He spoke casually, as if it were a trivial matter. Without waiting for my answer, he turned and left, following Henry's repeated calls.It was not a request for my opinion, but a

I walked into the guest bedroom by myself, only to find all my belongings scattered on the floor. There were small footprints on my dresses and yellow urine stains on the bed.I walked out holding the only clean corner of the bedsheet and looked at Henry, whose face was full of defiance.Jonathan looked down and frowned. "Henry, why did you urinate on Claire's bedsheet?"Linda gently patted his bottom. "Henry, when did you do this? Apologize to Mrs. Rivers right now!"Henry apologized obediently, though his eyes showed no trace of remorse.Jonathan warned him, "Don't do it again!" He raised his hand high but brought it down gently. Jonathan was actually a doting father, I thought sarcastically.Even so, I would not let him off easily. I stood in front of him, picked up his favorite toy, threw it to the ground. And then? Crushed it under my foot.Henry burst into tears while Linda quickly picked him up to comfort him.Jonathan frowned deeply and lit a cigarette. "Claire, you

Jonathan thought the driver was planning something sinister and quietly followed behind them. That was when he overheard their conversation at the stairwell."Money? You have the nerve to ask me for money? I told you to kill Claire and to hit from the other side! Instead, you couldn't tell left from right and nearly killed my son!""What do you mean you won't pay? Listen here, I did the job, so I want to see the money. Otherwise, I'll tell the police everything. I don't have many days left to live anyway!""Fine! I'll give you 500 grand first. You'll get the rest after I secure my position! I've endured humiliation for seven years and gave birth to Jonathan's only child.”"Now I'm just one step away from becoming the wife of the Rivers Group CEO. You'll get your money soon enough!"Jonathan kicked open the partially closed stairwell door. When they saw him, both their faces turned deathly pale.Linda stammered and fell to her knees beside Jonathan, trying to explain, but Jonathan