Chapter 3

Jessica wore a white knee-length dress that day, showing off her slender waist and graceful posture. She looked like a flower blooming in the morning mist with dewdrops glistening on the petals.

"Aunt Jessie!" Terence excitedly threw himself into her arms, hugging her waist tightly.

The maids exchanged glances and silently marveled at the serious charm she had. Not only did Joshua allow her free access to Rippleview Court, but even Terence, who was hard to please, was so close to her. It was as if they were true mother and son.

After all, Terence usually barely paid attention to Winter, his own mother. It seemed Jessica had truly tamed him.

Jessica gently stroked Terence's hair, radiating maternal warmth. The crystal bracelet he'd given her sparkled on her wrist. She smiled gently at Joshua and said, "Josh, I came to see Winter. Is she home?"

Joshua frowned. "Your sister didn't spend the night at your parents' house last night?"

"No, she didn't. Wait, she didn't come home all night?" Jessica's eyes widened with concern. "Did you and Winter… have a fight?"

A flicker of irritation crossed his face. "She's just being unreasonable."

Jessica smiled faintly. "Winter can be a bit stubborn, but couples fight and make up all the time. You just need to apologize to her, and she'll come right back."

Joshua curled his lip, his voice icy as he retorted, "Me? Apologize to her? Is she worthy of that?"

"Exactly! Mom's the one who messed up! She didn't come home for no reason, and she ignored me and Dad! If anyone should apologize, it's her!" Terence huffed, echoing Joshua.

"Terence, it's time for class," Joshua reminded, his face devoid of emotion.

"Okay…" Terence turned to Jessica and pleaded playfully, "Aunt Jessie, can you take me to kindergarten today? I miss you so much! I want to spend more time with you."

Jessica chuckled and pinched his cheek. "We were together for days, Terry. We only parted yesterday."

"I want to be with you every day! I wish you were my mom!"

Terence's innocent words left the maids stunned. They couldn't help but think that Winter was lucky not to be around—she'd be heartbroken to hear that!

"Terry, don't say that…" Jessica chided. However, she lifted her eyes and cast a shy glance at Joshua.

Joshua's expression remained indifferent. He evidently didn't take Terence's words to heart. "Jessica, could I trouble you to take Terry to school, then?"

Jessica's face lit up, and she nodded obediently. "Of course."

…

It was 9:00 am when Winter woke up. For the first time since marrying into the Stroud family, she'd slept in without being disturbed.

Over the past five years, she'd risen at 6:00 am every morning to make coffee for Joshua and match his suit. Then, she would help Terence wash up, prepare his breakfast, and personally drive him to kindergarten before rushing to work.

As a result, she was often late for work and publicly scolded by her superior countless times. At first, she'd felt humiliated, but over time, she'd grown immune to it. She'd treated the harsh words like water off a duck's back and focused solely on her job.

In truth, if Joshua had ever given the order, no one at Stroud Group would've dared to give Winter trouble. But he despised special treatment and insisted everyone prove themselves on merit. And so, aside from Sean, no one at the company knew Winter was actually Joshua's wife.

Initially, Winter thought Joshua was genuinely upright and just. But after he'd openly brought Jessica to auctions, galas, the AI summit Winter had longed to attend, and also the musical days ago…

That was when the realization dawned on Winter. Joshua wasn't some paragon of justice. He was a scumbag of the highest order.

To him, his wife was nothing more than a long-term maid cum hooker. Jessica was the one he'd break all his rules for—she was his only exception.

After washing up, Winter sat at the table for breakfast. For some reason, she felt uneasy.

Then, her phone rang. It was a call from Terence's teacher. After a moment's hesitation, she answered. "Hi, Ms. Brown."

"Mrs. Stroud, Terence has had an asthma attack! We've called an ambulance to take him to the nearest hospital, so please come quickly to look after him!"

Terence was ultimately her son. Winter forgot about breakfast and grabbed her things, racing out the door.

…

"Terry!"

Winter was panting and drenched in sweat when she burst into the hospital room, her heart burning with anxiety. The sight that greeted her stabbed her in the heart.

Terence's face was as white as a sheet, and he looked frail as he sat on the bed. Jessica cradled him tightly as tears streamed down her face. Joshua stood tall beside them, his gaze deep and protective. He looked like he was there to shield them.

"Aunt Jessie, don't cry. I know you're worried about me," Terence said, his breathing still labored after having just recovered. He tried to comfort Jessica. "Look, I'm fine now…"

She sobbed, looking like a mess. "Terry, you scared me to death! If anything had happened to you, I wouldn't have gone on living!"

Terence's eyes reddened. He lifted his hand to wipe her tears as he glared at Winter with resentment.

Winter felt a chill wash over her as if she'd plunged into an icy abyss. Her slender legs trembled in her pants. She'd just suffered a miscarriage and had fallen on the stairs in her frantic rush to get to the hospital room. Her knee was still bleeding.

No matter how coldly Terence treated her, he was still her flesh and blood. She couldn't instantly let him go. Yet the way he looked at her now held no trace of affection. It was almost as if she were his enemy.

"Winter, is this how you carry out your duty as a mother?" Joshua strode toward her, his voice sharp with accusation.

Winter met his furious gaze and asked calmly, "What did I do?"

"What did you do? The nerve of you, asking that!" He loomed over her imperiously, his tone as frigid as a judge passing sentence. "Your family background and career are a mess, but that's fine. I've never demanded anything of you.

"Yet now, you can't even manage the simplest task of caring for our son! You acted unreasonably and stayed out all night—do you even love Terry? You're such a disappointment!"

Jessica watched the confrontation, a cold glint flickering in her eyes.

"For five years, I've poured my heart into this family. I've had no social life, and I've only gone between home and work. Aside from working overtime, I've never once stayed out late." Winter's eyes were clear and cold.

Her words were sharp and deliberate as she retorted, "So what if I stayed out the whole night? Did I break some sacred law? Am I a prisoner on bail who's required to report to you daily?"

Terence was stunned as he stared at Winter, who was usually timid and soft-spoken. Jessica was also taken aback by Winter's sudden defiance.

The air thickened with tension.

Joshua's expression darkened, and his eyes flashed with anger. Then, he curled his lip mockingly. He couldn't believe this dull, clumsy, and passionless woman actually had a temper. Did she think she could be insolent because she'd given him a son? She was getting out of line.

"Why did Terry suddenly have an asthma attack? Did he eat something he shouldn't have?" Winter was tired of arguing with Joshua and switched the subject.

Joshua's expression remained haughty, as if addressing a negligent subordinate. "How would I know? It's your job to figure that out. This is your failure as a mother!"

Winter barked out a laugh, hardly believing a human could say such a thing. "Am I some hermaphrodite who reproduces alone? When I'm not around, shouldn't you, as his father, pay attention to him? Is Terence not your son?"

Joshua's eyes widened in shock.

Winter continued, "Is there a law that says only mothers raise children? Just because I willingly took on the responsibility, you think everything I do is owed to you and that you can take it for granted?"

The look on Joshua's face turned ugly. "Winter Everhart!"

Just then, the room door swung open.