Chapter 5

[According to the test results, the submitted sample has no biological father-son relationship with the subject.]

[According to the test results, the submitted sample has a biological father-son relationship with the subject.]

In the paternity report, that final sentence was especially glaring.

The baby really was Caleb’s.

Claire’s fingers tightened around her phone as a chill spread from the deepest part of her heart.

She had been mentally prepared for this result. She had thought she would at least feel some pain. After all, Caleb was a man she had truly loved.

But…

Claire pressed a hand to her chest and realized she had never been calmer.

That was right.

Over the past two days, she had already seen his true face clearly. What was left for him to hurt?

Now, all she wanted was for Caleb and Serena to pay the price.

Claire opened the door and walked inside.

The moment she stepped into the entryway, she heard a sweet, coquettish female voice from the dining room.

“I can’t eat anymore. But if you kiss me, I might force myself to take one more bite.”

“Serena, stop messing around.”

Claire looked over and saw Serena sitting at the dining table, pouting playfully at Caleb, who stood beside her holding a bowl.

Caleb told her to stop, yet he still leaned down and kissed the corner of her lips.

Claire curled her lips.

How bold.

Then again, after Claire’s grandma passed away, Caleb had been afraid Claire would do something reckless, so he had stayed by her side day and night. He had only started loosening his attention two months after their wedding.

By then, Serena had already been confirmed to be two months pregnant.

So when exactly had he and his precious Serena gotten together?

As Claire was thinking, Serena had already spotted her.

A flash of panic crossed Serena’s eyes, but she deliberately asked in surprise, “Claire, why are you back?”

Claire almost laughed. She turned her eyes to Caleb.

“Am I not allowed to come back? Or is it inconvenient for me to be here? Do you need me to move out?”

The mockery in her words was too obvious.

Caleb frowned. “Claire, don’t say things like that.”

He set down the bowl and utensils naturally, then walked toward her and explained, “The baby choked on milk last night, so he’s staying in the hospital for observation.

“Serena’s depression still hasn’t gotten better. She was in a bad mood alone at the postnatal retreat, and I couldn’t stop worrying about her. After thinking it over, I could only bring her home.

“My wife is kind and beautiful. You’ll agree, won’t you?”

His tone was gentle, exactly the same as when he had been coaxing Serena earlier.

Claire waved a hand.

“Do whatever you want.”

Caleb was very pleased with her attitude. He casually took her bag and smiled.

“Then could I trouble you to get Serena a bowl of soup? It’s in the kitchen. You should have one too. It’ll help you recover your strength.”

After saying that, he returned to the table and patiently placed food onto Serena’s plate.

Serena smiled softly.

“Sorry to trouble you, Claire. But your hand seems to be injured. Is it serious?”

Then she looked at Caleb.

“You too, Caleb. Claire isn’t the housekeeper. How can you ask her to serve soup?

“Claire, come sit down. Let’s eat together. Make Caleb do it. Men are meant to be ordered around. Don’t be reluctant to use him.”

Caleb looked helpless. “Serena, don’t say nonsense…”

A crisp slap cut him off.

His words stopped abruptly.

Caleb covered his face, looking as though he could hardly believe it.

Claire withdrew her hand with a smile and said very seriously, “Caleb, you know perfectly well that Serena has depression and her mood is unstable, yet you still dare to talk to her like that. What exactly are you trying to do?”

Then she looked at Serena.

“Serena, you’re right. Men are meant to be ordered around. Stay here and recover in peace. If Caleb fails to take good care of you in any way, tell me. I’ll slap him for you. But you absolutely must not spiral over it by yourself.”

Her tone was earnest and sincere, every word sounding as if she were thinking entirely of Serena.

Serena finally came back to herself, and her eyes reddened at once.

“Claire, what are you doing? I know you’re unhappy because I came here, but no matter what, you can’t hit Caleb.”

Caleb’s expression also darkened.

“Claire, you…”

Another slap landed.

Claire’s face turned stern.

“Caleb, normally I might let it go, but Serena is still recovering after giving birth. Is this how you take care of her?

“Patients with depression are already emotionally sensitive. Look at you. In such a short time, you’ve already made Serena cry.

“Hurry up and comfort her. If you can’t calm her down, don’t come back to the bedroom tonight.”

After saying that, she turned and went upstairs. Caleb was left dumbfounded in the living room, cupping his reddened cheek and staring at Serena.

In the master bedroom, Claire felt remarkably refreshed.

She had wanted to do that ever since she heard those words yesterday.

Serena really was a wonderful "accomplice". Without her setting up the stage, Claire would not have had the chance to land those slaps.

Revenge would not happen overnight, but collecting a little interest first was not bad.

Claire went into the bathroom to shower, carefully avoiding the wound on her hand. She washed off the exhaustion of the day, then came out in a bathrobe, drying her hair with a towel.

Caleb was leaning back on the sofa.

When he saw her come out, he lifted his eyes, his gaze carrying something unreadable.

“Claire.”

Claire’s heart suddenly tightened.

From the beginning of their relationship, Caleb had always been the one pursuing her, considerate and yielding in every way.

But she had never lost her temper at him before, much less slapped him.

Had he noticed something?

Just as she was feeling annoyed with herself, Caleb stood and walked over. He took her hand and led her to sit on the sofa.

“I know I’ve made you suffer lately.”

Claire looked puzzled.

“Serena’s temper is just like that. If I don’t go along with her, there’s no telling what she’ll do when she starts making a scene. Just for my sake, put up with it a little longer. Once she finishes her recovery period, I’ll take you on a vacation to relax, all right?”

Caleb’s voice was soft.

He did not mention the two completely unreasonable slaps from earlier at all. Instead, he said, “Didn’t you say a few days ago that you wanted to go back to work?

“That works out perfectly. I’ll arrange a position for you at one of the hospitals under the group. You can take the title of deputy director there. It’ll be less stressful for you.”

Claire sneered inwardly, though her face remained calm.

“No need. Just take good care of Serena.”

For his sake?

Who did he think he was?

He was so hypocritical, acting as if he were the greatest husband in the world.

Without showing anything, she withdrew her hand.

“It’s getting late. Aren’t you going to check on Serena? The baby was always with her before. Now that the baby isn’t here tonight, will she be able to adjust?”

Caleb’s gaze flickered. This time, a trace of genuine guilt appeared in his eyes.

“Claire, don’t be like this. She’s just Serena. You’re my wife.”

As he spoke, he rose and braced both arms against the back of the sofa.

His gaze fell to the neckline of her robe, which she had not pulled fully closed. His voice turned slightly hoarse.

“Claire, I love you. Give me a little time. I’ll handle everything. After this, it’ll just be the two of us. I’ll spend the rest of my life loving you and spoiling you.”

Caleb’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he lowered his head to kiss her.

“It’s been so long since we…”

Claire turned her head away.

“My hand hurts. I’m not in the mood.”

She raised her right hand wrapped in gauze in front of him.

Caleb instantly stopped. He sighed, got up, and headed for the door.

“I’ll get the first-aid kit and change your dressing. Be more careful next time. If you hadn’t insisted on going with me, how would you have gotten hurt?”

Caleb had always been considerate like this.

Whenever things became heated, as long as she said she did not want to, even without giving a reason, he could immediately suppress his desire.

Because of that, from their wedding until now, they had only been intimate on the night of the wedding.

At that thought, Claire’s brow twitched almost imperceptibly.

On the day of Gideon’s birthday, the Whitmores had booked the best hotel in New York. Caleb had drunk too much, so the two of them had stayed in a guest room at the hotel.

They had already been preparing for their engagement at the time.

So when, in the dark room, Caleb’s burning hands pressed against her waist, she had not refused.

They were going to get married anyway. Trying things out in advance was necessary.

Because the lights were off, her vision had been blocked, making her other senses especially sensitive.

Caleb had taken control with overwhelming force, driving her to the edge again and again. She did not even know when she had passed out from exhaustion.

Only when she woke the next day did she see Caleb sitting by the bed, looking at her with a complicated expression.

Had he thought he had gone too far that time and held himself back ever since?