Chapter 4

My last nerve snapped in an instant. Matilda was already pregnant with their second child, right under my nose.

Liam clearly realized he had said the wrong thing. He urged the sobbing Matilda to go home before turning to me, his voice softening as he said, "Darling, this time… it was my fault. I was drunk, and I thought she was you. I'm sorry."

I stared at him and remained silent.

He faltered under my gaze. His voice dropped even lower, and he went on, "I know I was wrong. I'll give her money for the baby and cut her off completely.

"From now on, everything I earn goes to you. You've always liked houses with yards, right? I'll buy a villa and put it in your name. We'll move there together."

Every word sounded apologetic, yet none of it felt sincere.

I met his gaze. "Liam Moore, it's only been an hour since I confronted you. You lied to me for ten years. How could you possibly come to your senses in one hour and suddenly have the resolve to cut her off?

"I'm just a fool in your eyes, huh? Do you really think that I'd forgive you and go back to letting you use me? That I'd let you take our money to support a mistress and your illegitimate daughter?"

Liam's face went pale at once. He shook his head and replied, "I never thought of you that way. I just felt guilty toward her. I wanted to make it up to her."

"And what about Ezra and me?" I shot back.

"I'm sorry…"

I retorted, "You're apologizing now. But back then, when you bought her a villa, gave her money, and let your parents support her, did you stop to think about us?

"When you brought her into our home as a household helper and took most of my paycheck, when Ezra and I had to scrape by, why didn't you feel any guilt?"

The more I spoke, the more flustered Liam became. Finally, in his panic, he blurted, "But I gave you money too! At least I didn't let you and Ezra live in misery all these years!"

And he had the audacity to sound self-righteous.

A bitter laugh escaped my lips, and Liam panicked. "That's not what I meant! Darling, I—"

"Don't say another word to her!"

My mother-in-law, Shirley, suddenly stormed over. Rage consumed her, and she snapped, "Why are you acting so high and mighty? Liam was going to divorce you anyway. You're the one who refused to let go of him!"

"Mom! When did I ever say I wanted a divorce?" Liam shouted, clapping a hand over her mouth.

However, Shirley twisted away and yelled at him, "I told you! Women from the city are nothing but trouble! When Matilda was pregnant the first time, I asked you to divorce her.

"But you said she had given birth to a son, our family's heir, and that she should raise him for a few years before you divorced. And now, Matilda's pregnant again. How much longer are you planning to wait?"

At that, I froze. I had thought what I had just uncovered was the whole truth, but I hadn't imagined there was more.

"Liam, did you think of me as nothing more than a baby-making machine?" I questioned.

"No! That's not it! Just give me a moment. Let me explain."

Then, he turned to Shirley. "Mom, stop talking nonsense! The only person I've ever loved is Beatrice. I never once thought about divorcing her!"

Yet, Shirley refused to back down.

"You're the one spouting nonsense!" she shouted at the top of her lungs. "If you really loved her, why did you drug her when she got pregnant the second time and make her lose the baby?"

At that moment, even the wind seemed to fall silent.

I remembered when I got pregnant three years ago. I had just found out I was a month along when I miscarried in my sleep.

Back then, I thought it was my fault, that I had worked myself too hard. I cried for days, my emotions spiraling until I nearly took my own life.

Liam gave Matilda time off and stayed home with me instead. He had held me, keeping me from reaching for the knife.

Over and over, he told me it wasn't meant to be for our family. He even insisted that having Ezra was enough. But the truth was, he had never allowed me to have a second child.

Now, with Matilda pregnant again, Liam guarded her at every turn, terrified I might hurt her.

I had given him a son. That was why he hadn't wanted to divorce me. Ironically, he had spoiled Matilda and supported her financially, despite her first child being a daughter.

Looking back, those ten years of my life were nothing but a complete joke.

"Liam," I called out.

He froze mid-step while trying to drag Shirley away, and panic flickered in his eyes.

"You got what you wanted," I added. "We're getting divorced. But Ezra stays with me, and you won't get a single cent of what's ours."