Chapter 4

"What is it?" Samantha asked Opal as she went upstairs.

In the dining room, Channing and Harold were at the table, along with another woman.

That woman was none other than Sydney.

Only then did Samantha understand Opal's subtle expression. While Opal was hired by Channing, she and Samantha had become close after so many years together.

Samantha's parents had passed away when she was very young, and she had been raised by her grandmother. She had always respected older women like Opal, who was about the same age her mother would have been. Naturally, Opal treated her well too.

Opal had tried very hard to make nourishing meals for Samantha every day after her miscarriage.

Opal also knew very well that Sydney was the one who had caused Samantha's miscarriage, hence why she had looked so worried when Samantha suddenly came back.

However, Samantha was very calm.

At that moment, Harold was sitting beside Sydney, one small hand grabbing the corner of Sydney's clothes. When he saw Samantha, he didn't want to call her Mommy at all.

But Sydney had said in front of Daddy that he had to keep calling that woman Mommy, or the fake mommy would be sad. Daddy had said the same thing, too.

Harold could only say in a miserable tone, "Mommy, why are you here? You're not going to stop Daddy and me from playing with Sydney, are you?"

Samantha felt a sharp pang in her chest. Was this the child she had carefully raised and cared for all these years? He didn't show the slightest joy when he saw her come back. Instead, he held Sydney's clothes tightly, who was sitting beside him.

Sydney's eyes were filled with smugness as she comforted Harold.

"Of course not, Harry. Don't be scared. Your Mommy isn't that petty. She knows you like playing with me, so she definitely won't stop you. Right, Sam?"

Hearing that, the sharp pain that Samantha was feeling inside of her became a dull ache, like being scraped by something rough.

Sydney was clearly the mistress who had openly entered Samantha's home while she was away. She had brazenly taken Samantha's place, sitting in the seat of the lady of the house and having dinner with Samantha's husband and son.

Yet if Samantha showed even the slightest displeasure, she would be called petty and accused of not being considerate to her son.

She would become the villainess instead.

Samantha turned around and forced back the tears that were rolling in her eyes. There was no place for her in this home at all. Why should she still hold on to it?

Samantha turned and returned to her bedroom.

Her suitcase had only held the necessities from her business trip. Now that she was back in the bedroom, she began packing her things so she could leave with more ease when the time came.

In any case, she had no intention of staying in this home anymore.

At this time, the bedroom door opened.

Channing walked in wearing a white shirt, his tone antagonistic.

"If you're going to throw a tantrum the moment you come back, you might as well not have come back at all. Who are you putting on this act for?"

Samantha didn't know how she had crossed them. Did she have to walk over with a smile?

She rubbed her temples and said in an exhausted tone, "I've been working myself to the bone for days, and I didn't rest well on the plane either. Can you leave and let me rest for a while?"

Channing grabbed her hand. "Come out. Eat with us."

She shook him off. She finally lost control and shouted angrily, "I'm not! I said I'm exhausted, and I need to sleep!"

There wasn't a hint of concern on Channing's face, only coldness. He looked her over as if he had never known she could get angry.

In the past, Samantha had always been mild-tempered and patient in front of him. Even after losing her child, all she did was cry.

The only time she had shown anger was when she said she would never have his child again.

Channing scoffed indifferently. "I want Sydney to stay here and look after Harry for a while. You can't raise him well, anyway. This is a good chance for you to learn something from her."

Samantha almost felt sick when she heard that.

She had taken such careful care of Harry. After losing her child, she had poured all her love into him. She granted his every wish and cherished him like a treasure. Other than flying overseas to take care of work, she had done everything she could for him.

Yet, in Channing's eyes, she had not raised him well and had not cared for him enough.

Now that she thought about it, since Sydney had placed the boy in their home, maybe Sydney was the one who had secretly incited him all along. That was why he had become rebellious at such a young age.

If that was true, what was Samantha still attached to then? He had nothing to do with her, anyway.

Samantha nodded. "Fine, as long as you sign this document."

Samantha found the envelope she had left on the bedside table before she left. She had been away for so many days, and she had clearly told Channing to read it before she left.

Judging by the way the string clasp was still tied, Channing had not opened it at all.

No matter how important the matter she entrusted to him was, Channing would only ignore it. After all, his usual attitude toward her had always been indifference.

Samantha picked up the envelope and handed it to Channing.

Channing was just about to open it when Sydney's voice came from the doorway. "Channing, is Samantha still angry? Should I come in and explain?"

"It's fine," Channing said as he casually tossed the document aside. He then comforted her, saying, "It's fine, Sydney. We'll be out soon."

Samantha picked up the divorce agreement and was about to take it out for him before he said, "Let's talk after dinner."

Samantha didn't want to eat at all, but it seemed she had no choice but to join them.

Only after dinner would Channing sign it. She could only put up with it for now and see what Sydney was trying to do.

Channing dragged Samantha out of the bedroom. He pulled out a chair at the table and pushed her into it. Then, he instructed Opal, "Bring out another set of tableware."

In truth, Samantha had no appetite at all.

Sydney spoke first. "Sam, I just came back from abroad. We haven't seen each other in so long, so I brought you a gift."

Samantha looked up and noticed Sydney's movement. She lightly tucked her hair behind her ear, revealing the diamond earring on her earlobe. It was so bright it was almost dazzling.

Samantha recognized the earring immediately. It was a piece she liked for a long time. When it finally appeared at an auction, Channing promised her he would bid on it and give it to her.

Yet, Sydney was wearing it right now.

Samantha knew Sydney hadn't bought it herself, because she had asked around and confirmed that Channing had indeed bought it.

However, Channing had given it to Sydney.

Samantha had clearly told him she wanted it, but he must have forgotten about it. In the end, he bought it and gave it to Sydney instead.

Samantha suppressed the mockery in her mind and opened the jewelry box Sydney pushed toward her with a malicious smile.

Inside was also a pair of earrings, but they were especially ugly. The design looked like a hornet's nest, something she hated the most. She almost threw up on the spot.

So… Sydney had done it on purpose to disgust her.

Samantha's expression changed slightly.

Sydney immediately seized the chance and said, "Samantha, why do you look unhappy? Don't you like the gift I gave you?"

She put on a wounded expression as Samantha closed the jewelry box.

If Samantha said Sydney had deliberately given her ugly jewelry to disgust her, Channing probably wouldn't believe it. He might even scold her for having no taste and no manners.

Channing had always been biased toward Sydney.

Samantha said nothing more and simply continued eating.

It wasn't long before the ribeye steaks were served. Channing reached out with his fork and knife, intending to cut it into pieces for Sydney, but his expression suddenly darkened.

He called the chef over and asked, "Didn't I tell you not to use cilantro for the sauce?"

The chef, upset, said, "Sir, the madam likes cilantro. I've always made cilantro chimichurri for her."

Channing's face darkened further. "What does Samantha have to do with tonight's dinner? Sydney doesn't take cilantro. If you make this mistake again, you can stop working here."

Samantha stared at Channing.

He was usually indifferent toward everyone and everything, yet he didn't hesitate to rebuke the chef because of the cilantro chimichurri. As expected, there was nothing he wouldn't do when it came to protecting Sydney.

He was right about one thing, though.

Samantha had nothing to do with this dinner, and she didn't want to eat anymore.