Chapter 2

Nathan's expression darkened instantly the moment he realized I'd avoided him.

"I'll let this slide since you've just given birth, Anastasia, but there's a limit to these temper tantrums."

He glanced at the time, his tone softening slightly. "Tell you what—submit the formal application now, and I'll set aside an hour for you tomorrow."

I curled my lip, turned, and started to walk away. "Don't even bother."

Nathan reached out and grabbed me, his tone dark and threatening.

"Stop acting out, Anastasia. The standard procedure takes seven days. I've already expedited it for the sake of the child. What more do you want?"

His palm was burning hot, yet a chill ran through my entire body. I raised my voice, making sure he heard every word.

"Did you even know that the baby was stillborn?"

A ripple finally stirred across his composed face, followed by a scoff.

"A stillborn? I can't believe you're actually stooping to cursing your own child just to get what you want. Too bad that trick doesn't work on me."

I found the whole thing utterly absurd.

I pulled out the death certificate right before his eyes, showing it to him. He froze in place for a brief moment.

Miranda then tugged cautiously at his sleeve and said, "Mr. Ritter, I've heard that if a pregnant woman eats something wrong or gets too emotional, it's easy for the baby to… Could it be that… Mrs. Ritter was just doing this on purpose to make you feel guilty?"

At these words, Nathan's brows shot up, and he fixed me with a warning glare.

"Anastasia! Even a savage beast wouldn't harm its own offspring. But you'd go that far just to satisfy your own jealousy?"

I looked at him and suddenly burst into laughter. He actually believed I would lie to him about something like the life and death of my own child.

Exhaustion washed over me, and I didn't bother to argue any further. "If that's what you say, then so be it."

"Shut up," Nathan said, his voice turning cold. "You always resort to this kind of act the moment you're exposed! I'll go with you to pick her up tomorrow. Don't you dare act so stupid and reckless again next time."

He cast a fleeting, indifferent glance my way and walked off without looking back. Miranda followed close behind before she suddenly turned and made a face at me.

"Aw, Mrs. Ritter, there's no 'authorization' needed this time! Lucky you!"

My heart felt as though it had been seared through, leaving gaping, bleeding holes in its wake. But my child truly needed to come home, so I could only wait.

…

The next day, I waited at home all day, but Nathan never returned. When I arrived at his company, I was barred from entering because I lacked the "visitation permit" he now required.

I had forgotten that just a few days earlier, Nathan had decreed that even visiting his office required going through an official process, claiming I would otherwise interfere with his work.

The scorching sun made me sway on my feet. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Miranda sauntering toward the elevators. Suddenly, she turned back and flashed me a brilliant smile.

A foreboding sense of dread washed over me.

At the hospital, the doctor informed me that someone had already collected my child's ashes. When she described that person, I immediately knew it was Miranda.

At that moment, I threw all caution to the wind and risked my very life to barge into Nathan's office.

I stared fixedly at Miranda and demanded, "Did you go to the hospital and take my child's ashes?"

Before the words had even left my lips, Nathan pulled her behind him, shielding her.

"I was the one who sent her. Mimi mentioned that you were emotionally unstable, so she took care of it for you to prevent you from doing anything extreme involving the child."

My throat felt as if it were filled with blood.

"Then… Where is she now?"

Miranda giggled, feigning innocence as she reached out to take my hand.

"Oh, Mrs. Ritter, I read online that ashes make the best fertilizer, so I scattered them under the big tree in your garden. Now, the child can stay with you forever. But don't worry, Mrs. Ritter, I just helped the child find a wonderful final resting place."

My blood literally ran in reverse as veins bulged across my entire body.

"So… You just went ahead and…"

Miranda cast a pitiful, aggrieved glance at Nathan. She said, "But Mr. Ritter was the one who told me to handle it. I've been making the decisions myself for all these years, so I didn't think to ask any questions this time."

I let out a bitter, hollow laugh as tears spilled down my cheeks.

Of course she was right. She had special privileges I never had. Not only could she see him whenever she pleased—she could also make decisions on her own, on my behalf.

She was nothing like me, who had to submit a formal list for approval just to buy clothes for my unborn child back then.

I raised my hand, intending to strike her, but Nathan caught it with lightning speed. He shoved me away violently and yelled, "That's enough, Anastasia. I was the one who sent her.

"Mimi is still young. She just got carried away by things she read online. It's not exactly a grave mistake that she made anyway."

A metallic, coppery taste surged up my throat, but I forced it back down. I stumbled to my feet and said, "So, my child doesn't even deserve a place to stay?"

I turned to bolt, but Nathan grabbed me firmly.

"Where do you think you're going now?"

"I'm going to gather up my child's ashes and put her back together somewhere."

"That's enough of your stupid nonsense, Anastasia!" he growled, suddenly gripping my face and forcing my chin upward. "Is playing the madwoman the only thing you're capable of now?

"Look at you. You're not even acting like how a proper 'Mrs. Ritter' should be right now!"