Chapter 2

Jack was still there, standing, by the time I ended the call.

He did not panic at my words, no. Instead, he snickered. "Thea, have you gotten the acting bug? Don't think calling your brother will scare me."

He hugged Bianca tighter and said in an even more condescending tone, "Your brother's tiny company doesn't even make enough in a year to cover my family's taxes. The moment you walk out of this room, you won't be able to afford the best baby formula. Leaving the Schuyler family, you are nothing."

Bianca, in Jack's arms, was dabbing her tears before shooting me a smug smile.

I said nothing.

Enduring the stabbing pain in my abdomen, I bent and lifted Luke from the crib.

It felt like my stitches were about to split open. With every step, I could feel my clothes soaking through with sweat and blood.

At that moment, the doors burst open.

Jack's parents, Robert and Mary, rushed in. They had heard the commotion.

The moment Mary saw the blood on my forehead, she shrieked, "Oh my God! Thea! What happened to you? Who did this?!"

Robert was staring at Bianca, who was in Jack's arms. His gaze darkened.

Bianca lowered her head shiftily and greeted them softly, "Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Schuyler."

Mary ignored her and tried to help me.

"Lie down! You had just given birth! How could you be out of bed?

"Jack, what are you still standing there for? Call the doctor!"

I stepped away from Mary's hand and said calmly, "No need for that, Mary. Jack said that I'm only a tool for giving birth to children. Since I have done my duty, it's time for me to leave."

Robert furrowed his brows and glared at Jack. "You brat! What did you say to her?"

Jack looked impatient. "Dad, don't listen to her. She slapped Bianca twice. I only said a couple of things to her. She's always threatening divorce whenever something happens. We shouldn't indulge her."

Robert was so furious that he was trembling. He pointed at Jack and berated, "You idiot! Did you know back then…"

"I know. You're superstitious about all that fate nonsense," Jack rudely interrupted. "But I call the shots in Schuyler Group now. Even if I divorce her, I'll take the family to higher heights."

I was standing in the middle of the room with Luke in my arms, looking at this family.

Robert and Mary had indeed treated me well the past three years, but what they truly valued was the children in me.

"Robert, Mary," I said, "thank you for all your care over the past three years. Jack is right, however. I don't belong in this family.

"My brother has gone to the Schuyler Residence to pick up the twins. In the future, my children will have nothing to do with the Schuyler family."

Robert immediately snapped, "Absolutely not! The children are Schuylers! You can't take them away!"

Jack sneered. "Thea, who do you think we are? The children bear the Schuyler family name. You can't take them."

Right at this moment, a synchronized sound of footsteps echoed from the hallway.

The door opened.

My brother, Taylor, entered. Behind him were eight bodyguards in black suits. All of them were broad-shouldered and imposing, instantly blocking the entrance.

Jack was bewildered. "Taylor, what.. Why are you here? What's with all the people?"

Taylor walked over to me. When he saw the blood on my forehead, his gaze instantly turned murderous.

Ignoring Jack, he took over Luke from me and handed him to a bodyguard. Then, he took off his jacket and placed it over me.

"Thea, the car is downstairs. Matthew and Mark are already in the car. Let's go home."

Robert's eyes reddened with anxiety. "Taylor, this is robbery! We're calling the police!"

Taylor turned to look at Robert and Jack. "Call the police? Sure! Mr. Schuyler, might I remind you that you had unlawfully detained my sister and allowed someone to assault her? Shall we go to the police station to discuss this further?"

He pointed at the hospital corridor and continued, "The Summers family has a forty-percent share in this hospital. I'd like to see who'd try stopping me from taking my sister."

Jack's face instantly paled.

"W-what? The Summers family… How on earth did you have that much money to buy the hospital's shares?"

Taylor sneered. Saying nothing, he led me out of the room.

Robert wanted to rush over, but the bodyguards stopped him.

When I walked past Jack, I stopped in my tracks. I looked at Bianca in his arms, then I looked at the arrogant man in front of me.

"You said that the Schuyler family will still be doing fine without me, didn't you, Jack? Well, you'd better guard your wealth properly from today onward."

I left the room without looking back.

Jack, behind me, yelled angrily, "Fine! Just go! You'd better not regret it and come begging me to take you back, Thea!"