Chapter 4

The hospital director entered with a bright smile, bypassing Winter and heading straight for Joshua and Jessica. "Mrs. Stroud, please don't worry too much. I personally led our team of experts in examining your son, and he's fine now. He can be discharged after some rest."

Jessica flushed when she realized the director had gotten the wrong person, but she didn't immediately correct him. Joshua merely stood there, cold and indifferent. He was about to speak when Winter cut in sharply.

"Doctor, I'm Terence's mother." She didn't call herself Joshua's wife because in her heart, she was already done with him and his callousness.

The atmosphere turned painfully awkward.

The director gaped at Winter, who was dressed simply in athletic wear. Then, he glanced at Jessica, who was decked out in designer clothes. His mind buzzed as he hurriedly apologized. "I'm so sorry, Mrs. Stroud! Your son is fine, so please don't worry!"

Jessica lowered her eyes, pursing her lips as a trace of resentment flashed in her eyes.

"What exactly caused Terry's asthma attack?" Winter asked seriously.

The doctor replied, "His lung function is weak, and he has congenital asthma. He needs to be extra careful in his diet—nuts and seafood can trigger severe attacks. Thankfully, we acted quickly, or it could've been dangerous!"

Joshua frowned at Terence's pale face. "Terry's diet is strictly controlled. He's never allowed nuts or seafood, and even his teachers are aware of this. How could he have eaten something he shouldn't have?"

He shot Winter a resentful look.

"It's easy enough to find out," she said, shifting her sharp gaze to Jessica's innocent face. "Everyone in the Stroud household knows Terry has asthma. No one would dare give him snacks or anything unsafe. Whoever he was with before class this morning is the key to his allergic reaction."

She didn't name Jessica outright, but every word was pointed at her.

Jessica clutched Terence tightly, her heart pounding in her chest.

Winter looked at Terence. "Terry, what did you eat? Who gave it to you?"

From the moment he was born, Terence was the rightful heir to the Stroud family. He should've been raised with discipline, but Joshua was an absent father who was always busy with work. His mother, Heather Miller, spoiled Terence rotten, and everyone else treated him like he was a king.

As a result, Terence was arrogant and spoiled despite his age. He was a little terror.

Meanwhile, Winter poured her heart into caring for him, playing the role of both mother and father. Yet all that had gotten her was him thinking of her as a nagging, meddlesome nuisance.

"Terry, what happened?" Joshua's handsome face darkened.

Terence's eyes darted around as he bit his lip. He couldn't admit that Jessica had bought him pistachio-flavored ice cream on the way to kindergarten. If he did, she would get in trouble with Joshua. She was so nice to him—he didn't want her to be scolded!

"I-It was Richard!" he blurted out, his face red. "I asked him to buy the ice cream. I just wanted some! I didn't know it had nuts!"

Jessica continued stroking his hand without saying a word.

Joshua frowned deeply. "Richard?"

Richard Carter had been the Stroud family's driver for 20 years and was known to be honest and reliable. He and Gretchen knew the family's situation inside out. How could he have acted so out of line?

Winter stared at Terence in disbelief as a dull ache spread through her chest. In that moment, the son she'd raised with such devotion felt like a stranger.

Since he was old enough, she'd taught him to be honest and upright. She'd told him never to lie, no matter what. This was the first time he'd done it, and it was to protect Jessica.

"Richard!" Winter called out, her eyes red.

"Yes, Mrs. Stroud?" Richard, who'd been waiting outside, stepped into the room. He gave Joshua a respectful nod. "Mr. Stroud."

Terence flinched.

Joshua looked at Winter, puzzled. "Why'd you call Richard in here?"

She ignored the ugly look on his face and said calmly, "Richard, Terry said you bought him pistachio ice cream on the way to kindergarten this morning. Is that true?"

Richard waved his hands frantically. "Mrs. Stroud, I'd never give Mr. Terence anything without your permission! The ice cream was actually—"

"I-I bought it!" Jessica said shakily, unable to take it anymore.

Joshua's eyes widened as he stared at her, taking in how she was on the brink of tears.

Terence grabbed her hand, looking worried. "It's not your fault, Aunt Jessie!"

"Josh, it's all my fault…" Jessica's nose turned red as tears streamed down her face. "I saw Terry eyeing the ice cream by the roadside and felt sorry for him, so I bought it without thinking. I didn't know he was allergic to nuts. Josh, Terry, I'm so sorry… It's all my fault…"

Joshua was silent for a moment. Then, he sighed softly and said, "It's fine. You didn't know about Terry's condition, and it wasn't intentional. Just be more careful next time."

Jessica lifted her tearful eyes to his face. "Josh…"

Terence instantly brightened. "Yay! I knew Dad wouldn't be mad! Dad loves Aunt Jessie the most!"

Joshua didn't say anything, and his face betrayed no emotion.

Even though Terence told the truth and Winter had long accepted the cruel reality, she still felt a sickening chill surge through her, making her blood run cold.

She recalled a time when she'd brought coffee to Joshua in his study. Afraid of disturbing his work, she'd even slipped off her shoes and tiptoed in to place the cup on his desk.

However, irritated by a project, he'd swept a hand across the table, spilling the coffee everywhere. He'd snapped, "Who told you to do these pointless things? Get out!"

It was his own mistake, yet he'd unleashed all his anger on her. That night, she'd cried silently for a long time while washing the coffee cup.

Now, with Jessica, Joshua was gentle, patient, and forgiving even though she'd nearly caused Terence's death. The disparity between love and indifference couldn't be clearer.

Winter turned resolutely and strode out. Staying another second would be an insult to her dignity.

"Josh, Winter doesn't seem too happy. I'll go check on her." Jessica quickly wiped her tears and followed.

…

Winter hadn't gone far when a sharp pain shot through her knee, making her body go weak. She stopped.

"Winter," Jessica called out with a half-smile. "Why are you in such a rush? It's like you and Josh are having some big fight."

She was clearly fishing for information.

Winter met her gaze, her eyes icy. "You manipulated a five-year-old to lie for you and poured all your energy into someone else's husband and child. Those who know you graduated from a prestigious university's computer science program might be impressed, but those who don't might think you came from a shady charm school that specializes in…"

Being a gold-digger and a homewrecker.

She didn't finish her sentence, but the implication was clear.

Winter was well-educated and composed. She refused to stoop to Jessica's level and throw a shrew-like fit in public. She was upright, civilized, and dignified.

She could never be like Jessica and her mother, who shamelessly took what wasn't theirs while acting like they were entitled to those things.

Jessica clenched her fists but still forced a smile. "Why do you have to be so aggressive, Winter? Terry lied because you, as his mother, failed to connect with him and teach him properly. What does that have to do with me?

"There's a saying that children are shaped by what they see and hear. They're blank canvases that are molded by how you guide them. You should watch your words and actions."

"Ha. Ms. Lynch, your womb is barren, and you've never even been married. Yet here you are, lecturing me on motherhood." Winter snorted, no longer the tongue-tied woman of before. "You're not even a parent, yet you're dripping with parental arrogance. Aren't you worried your precious Josh will find you repulsive?"

Jessica's lips twitched, and she took a sharp breath.

Winter, feeling unwell, didn't want to waste her breath on Jessica and turned to leave. But Jessica, stung by the jab, grabbed her arm.

Winter grunted in pain as sweat beaded on her forehead. Jessica had gripped the exact spot where she'd been injured while saving the chip. It was still wrapped in bandages.

"Let go of me!" Winter gritted her teeth and shook Jessica off.

Jessica yelped, her delicate frame stumbling backward. However, she didn't fall. Joshua appeared out of nowhere and caught her firmly in his arms.