Chapter 2 Packing Up the Past

Once I gave in, they immediately stopped paying me any attention. One by one, all their concern shifted back to Daisy.

So, I left the lively chatter behind me, dragged out my suitcase, and began packing.

Through the door, Ethan's lowered voice came through clearly. "Mom, Daisy's room is too small. Have someone tear down Nicole's master bedroom tomorrow and renovate it for Daisy. Nicole has always been kind. She'll definitely understand."

Mabel agreed enthusiastically, her tone dripping with calculation. "It should've been done long ago! A barren woman has no business taking up the master bedroom anyway. Once the baby is born, we'll register it under her name. She'll be getting a son for free.

"If anything, she should be grateful to you."

Ethan let out a sigh, sounding helpless. "Now that it has come to this… I know she's upset, but this child… it'll be compensation for her."

Compensation? The word made my stomach churn.

What had happened a few days ago still felt as vivid as if it had just occurred.

After watching the live broadcast of Ethan's company going public and watching him propose to Daisy with reverence, I ran straight home in the pouring rain. When I got there, I looked just like a drowned rat.

The moment I pushed the door open, Daisy was already standing in the entryway, blocking my path with a pregnancy test report in hand.

She caressed her slightly rounded belly, smiling with a mix of shyness and smugness. "Nicole, you saw the livestream today, didn't you? Ethan is a CEO now. The Taylor family line can't just end with him. Since you can't have children, I'll have to take things into my own hands.

"After all, I am his sister-in-law."

Then she lowered her voice and added with venomous pride, "Do you think you would've had a chance with Ethan if I hadn't married his brother years ago? I'm the one he's always loved."

My whole body trembled with anger, but I had no intention of wasting my breath on someone like her. "Drop the act. Move." I shot back coldly and stepped aside to go in.

I hadn't even touched the hem of her clothes when Daisy clutched her stomach and collapsed with a scream the very next second. "Ah! My belly! It hurts! Nicole, if you're angry, take it out on me. Please don't hurt the baby!"

At the commotion, Mabel rushed out of the kitchen and threw a basin of dirty water straight over my head. "You can't have children yourself, and now you want to harm my precious grandson? I swear I'll call Ethan now and have you thrown out!

"You can crawl back to that lousy farmers' market and starve for the rest of your life!"

Ethan pushed the door open just then, taking in the mess. Panic flashed across his face as he pulled Daisy into his arms. He ignored the devastated look on my face as he frowned, his eyes filled with condescending reproach.

"Nicole, what are you doing? Daisy has ALS. The doctor said she won't make it past this year. She's dying. All she wants is to leave a child for our family and experience being a mother before she goes. Why do you have to make things difficult for her?"

As he comforted Daisy, he turned to me with righteous pressure. "You've always been understanding. You should know I'm in a difficult position. Once the baby is born, it'll be good for all of us. Nicole, you know you're the only one I love.

"You went through so much with me. How could I ever abandon you?"

At that moment, my stomach churned violently.

"Love me?" I sneered. "Your idea of love is betraying everything we had, proposing to her in front of everyone, and then expecting me to raise your child for free? Ethan, you really have no shame."

Ethan looked at me with disappointment and let out a weary sigh. "Nicole, I told you. This is just me taking responsibility."

I let out a cold laugh, locking my gaze onto his. "Responsibility? Swear it, then! Swear on everything you have now. Swear that you touched her only out of responsibility and not because you've long had filthy thoughts about her."

Ethan froze, a flicker of panic and guilt flashing across his eyes.

That was all I needed. The anger I had been holding back surged through me, and I slapped his hypocritical face hard. "Enough. I don't want to hear another word of your disgusting lies. Ethan, we're getting a divorce."

Instead of getting angry, Ethan laughed at me. "That's enough, Nicole. You've hit me, so your anger should be gone by now. Don't try to play hard to get with this divorce talk. It won't work on me."

Mabel charged forward and slammed her fist into my chest, her voice filled with hatred. "You shameless bitch! How dare you live off our family and still hit my son! You want a divorce? Then, get one! I'll throw all your trash out tomorrow and make sure you leave with nothing!

"You'll be begging on the streets!"

The memory was so vivid it felt like it was happening all over again.

I curled my lips into a cold smile, my eyes devoid of warmth. As I pulled the zipper of my suitcase closed, I sealed away the last trace of attachment I had for him.

Alas, my blasted luck cursed me the moment I pushed the door open because I ran straight into Ethan. His gaze dropped to the suitcase in my hand, and his expression darkened with displeasure. "Nicole, what are you doing with a suitcase this late at night?"