Chapter 2

Instinctively, I turned sideways, shielding my son in the crook of my arm.

“He’s hungry. I need to feed him first. Please forgive me, Mother.”

Eleanor's outstretched hand hung awkwardly in midair. “Then I’ll hold him afterward. I’ll wait.”

Mrs. Zane immediately hurried over with a cushion, carefully tucking it behind Eleanor's back. She was not leaving.

I leaned against the headboard, cradling my son without moving.

“He’ll have trouble nursing with you here, Mother.”

Eleanor accepted a cup of tea from a maid as though she had not heard a word.

Mrs. Zane answered for her, “Ms. Shaw, surely you don’t mean that. Ms. Quinn is the child’s own grandmother. Is it so unreasonable for her to see her grandson? You’re the daughter-in-law of this family, not a guest invited from outside.”

She even chuckled at her own remark. Eleanor did not stop her. It was only after Mrs. Zane had finished that she calmly set down her teacup.

“If you’re truly worried, then let’s do this. Let the wet nurse bring the baby to the main hall with me. The marquis is waiting there as well. It’ll only take the time to drink a cup of tea before he’s returned to you. Meanwhile, you can get some rest.”

Ryan frowned. “Mother.”

His voice remained respectful, but he stepped subtly in front of the bed. Why not see the baby in the sitting room next door? It’s only a few steps away.”

“Your father wishes to meet his first grandson, and you expect him to walk to the sitting room?”

“The baby was just born,” Ryan replied evenly. “He shouldn’t be exposed to the cold.”

He did not back down, but his tone remained respectful. “The sitting room is warm and nearby. It won’t trouble anyone. Besides, Vivian doesn’t want to be separated from him…”

“I’m holding my own child," I cut him off.

Silence settled over the room.

Eleanor looked at me. The smile finally disappeared from her face. “So I’m not even allowed to hold my own grandson in my home? Bring me the baby. Now.”

Mrs. Zane stepped forward at once, followed by the four older maids.

Mrs. Zane said as she reached toward me. “Ms. Shaw, you have only just delivered. You should be resting.”

Two of the women moved to either side of my bed, clearly intending to pry me away from my son.

Before they could touch me, Ryan stepped between us, shielding both the baby and me with his body.

“Mother.” His tone remained courteous. “It’s getting late. Please return and rest.”

Eleanor fixed him with a cold stare. “Ryan, are you dismissing me?”

“Never, but the baby has only just been born. He can’t endure all this commotion.”

Before he had even finished speaking, the bundle in my arms stirred. My son woke up. His tiny brows were knitted together, tears were pooled in his eyes, and his little mouth was quivering. He was seconds away from crying.

Ryan turned slightly toward Eleanor.

“As you can see…”

She glanced at the baby’s scrunched-up face.

“He’s frightened. Once he starts crying, no one will be able to calm him. Why put him through that?”

Right on cue, the baby let out a loud, heart-wrenching wail. Eleanor frowned.

At that moment, hurried footsteps sounded outside, and the curtain was thrown aside.

“What is going on here?”

Lily stood at the entrance, holding the curtain open. The woman behind her strode into the room without hesitation. It was my mother.

Eleanor's expression shifted.

“Mrs. Shaw? What a surprise. You should have sent word ahead so we could prepare a proper reception.”

“No need.” My mother crossed the room in a few quick steps. Her eyes lingered on my face for only a moment.

She asked no questions. Instead, she gently took my crying son into her arms, holding his trembling little body against her chest and softly patting his back. To everyone’s surprise, his cries gradually quieted.

Only then did she look at Eleanor with a faint smile. “My grandson is precious beyond measure. I don’t mind coming to see him myself.”

Her smile remained perfectly polite. “But I’ve never seen a family willing to drag a newborn heir from room to room on the day he’s born.”