Chapter 2

Since that day, Nicole and Steve became inseparable.

The media hailed them as the "power couple of Harboria's business world".

Hearing this, Nicole would merely smile faintly, lowering her gaze to look at Steve with pampered affection.

Even when the press speculated that Steve's six-year-old younger sister might actually be Nicole's illegitimate daughter, she offered no explanation.

She simply allowed the media to compare their photographs, ultimately leading the public to conclude that the two shared a striking resemblance.

As usual, Nicole offered no clarification and even came home less often.

One night, as I was reading a bedtime story to Wayne, he unusually kept his eyes wide open, showing no signs of sleepiness as he played with a toy bear absentmindedly.

"Daddy, does Mommy have another child outside?"

I stroked his hair and pulled him closer into my arms.

"Why would you say that? Of course your mommy only has you."

I brought out a photograph taken when he was just a month old, featuring the three of us. In the picture, Nicole's face was full of smiles as she gazed lovingly at the baby in her arm.

Instead of looking comforted, however, our son traced the image one last time, pushed it gently toward my hand, and pressed his face against my arm.

"Daddy, all the kids at school say Mommy has another six-year-old daughter. If I have another sister... Mommy will like you even less, and she'll like me even less."

My heart gave a sharp, painful lurch.

"I've thought about it for a long time," Wayne said, sniffing slightly and hugging my arm tighter. "Having you is enough for me, Daddy. It's okay, we'll be fine without Mommy."

Feeling his tiny face pressed tightly against my sleeve, my throat felt as though it had been stuffed with cotton.

"Wayne, I'm sorry. I promise I'll make you happy."

"It's okay, Daddy! With you here, I'm already very happy."

He hugged me tighter, holding up his tiny fingers to count as he raised his head.

"When it was my birthday, Daddy was there with me.

"When I went to school, Daddy was there with me.

"When I was sick, Daddy was there with me.

"I'm already very happy."

Suddenly, two streams of blood dripped down from his nostrils.

My expression changed instantly. Out of habit, Wayne pulled a tissue from his pocket and pressed it against his nose.

"Don't worry, Daddy, Wayne can stop the bleeding. My teacher has taught me how to do it many times."

My heart contracted painfully as I gently pinched the bridge of his tiny nose.

"Don't be scared, Wayne. Just tilt your head back a little."

After Wayne finally fell asleep, I sent a message to his kindergarten teacher.

"Why didn't you inform us that Wayne had nosebleeds?"

It wasn't until the next day that the teacher finally gave a leisurely reply.

"Isn't it normal for children to have nosebleeds?"

My anger flared instantly. "I'm asking you, how many times has Wayne had nosebleeds at school? If you can't give me a straight answer, I'll have to go to the school to review the security footage."

The teacher fell silent for a moment, then sent a 60-second voice message.

"Who do you think you are? The head of the Lohan household? Talk to people outside and see if anyone takes you seriously. If you know what's good for you, you'd better gracefully step aside and make room for Steve.

"You're always trying to feel important through your child. Do you really think Wayne is Nicole's only child? Do you even know that Nicole has a six-year-old daughter?

"Let me tell you, even if you marched down to the school, no one would give you the time of day. If Ms. Lohan isn't backing you up, what makes you think you're anything special?"

My heart sank heavily.

I could endure the mistreatment.

But I would not let it happen to Wayne.