Chapter 2

I stared at my father, who had once cherished me more than anyone.

But he looked embarrassed and averted his gaze.

"I'll have the room cleared out for you right away. This will always be your home."

The moment he finished speaking, Quintessa's eyes reddened again.

She silently got to her feet and began moving her belongings out, but Ryan stopped her.

When no one was looking, he suddenly charged at me and shoved me to the ground. He grabbed whatever he could get his hands on and hurled it at me, screaming as he did.

"You came back and started bullying Mommy! You're a bad woman!

"Get out!

"Get out of my house!"

I stared at his twisted expression, completely stunned.

Everyone was startled by what he had done.

Yates grabbed his arm, frowning as he snapped, "Ryan! What do you think you're doing?"

Tears streamed down Ryan's face as he stubbornly continued hurling insults at me.

Annie, who had been fast asleep, was also awakened by the commotion and burst into tears.

Quintessa held her, tears streaming down her face as well.

"Stop it. Everyone, stop it. This is all my fault. I'll just leave!"

With that, she got to her feet and started to leave.

Just then, my mother spoke up.

"Everyone, shut up!

"Tessa, you don't have to go anywhere. You can keep this room."

My breath caught as I looked at her.

She frowned at me.

"Lily, I'll have someone clear out the entire third floor for you tomorrow. For tonight, just sleep in the guest room.

"Everyone, settle down."

Her words suddenly reminded me of something I had asked her when I was little.

"Mom, isn't this the master bedroom? Why don't you and Dad sleep here? Why are you leaving it for me?"

Back then, she held me in her arms, a sweet smile on her face.

"Because this room holds all the best wishes your dad and I have for you. Our Lily, we just want you to always be happy."

Remembering that, I could no longer hold back my tears.

I turned my head and wiped my face, then walked away.

She looked like she wanted to say something, but in the end, she stayed silent.

Once I returned to the guest room, I could no longer hold myself together. I buried my face in the pillow and sobbed.

Suddenly, I was enveloped in a warm embrace.

Yates gently kissed the top of my head. He stroked my hair and sighed.

"What are you going to do if your eyes are all swollen tomorrow, honey?"

I looked at him through tear-filled eyes.

He smiled at me.

I didn't know how long I'd been crying, but his clothes were already soaked through with my tears.

I felt a little embarrassed and rubbed my eyes.

"Go take a shower."

He hugged me tightly one more time before picking up his phone and heading into the bathroom.

I thought he'd be out soon.

He usually took a quick shower that lasted less than ten minutes.

But this time, I eventually fell asleep, yet the sound of the water still hadn't stopped.

I drifted into a hazy sleep.

When I woke again, it was to the sound of him closing the door.

I opened my eyes and saw the phone he'd left beside his pillow flash a few times.

Quintessa's name suddenly appeared on the screen.

"Waiting for you."

My heart skipped a beat.

I quickly picked up the phone to check, only to see “Incorrect password” when I tried to unlock it.

His phone password used to be my birthday.

But now...

I tried again and again. It wasn't my birthday, his, or either of the children's.

Suddenly, I remembered the birthday he had put next to Quintessa's name in his contacts.

I entered it, and the phone unlocked.

I felt the blood in my veins turn cold.

I opened their chat, and only then did I see that he had been on a video call with Quintessa for the entire hour he'd been in the bathroom.