Chapter 3

I scoffed. "Only natural? Then what was the point of the agreement Cyrus and I signed? Was it just a worthless piece of paper?"

Geoffrey's tone sharpened. "Mel! You are the lady of the Parker family. You need to look at the bigger picture. As long as that woman doesn't enter the household and threaten your position, what harm is there in leaving a little dignity for Cyrus in public? Besides…"

He paused, his gaze sweeping meaningfully over my flat stomach.

"It's been five years, and you still haven't shown any signs of getting pregnant. The Parker family's vast legacy needs an heir. Cyrus securing a bloodline outside is also for the family's sake."

A chill ran through me. In their eyes, my inability to conceive was a sin. Cyrus cheating on me was because he was soft-hearted, his having a bastard child was him securing an heir, and my anger was simply a lack of perspective.

"And what if I say I want a divorce?" I stared fixedly at Geoffrey.

His expression clouded over, and he slammed his mug down on the table.

"What utter nonsense! Do you think divorce is child's play? Parker Corp.'s current stock price can't withstand the turmoil. The half of the company shares we promised you are the family's guarantee to you, but they are also a restraint.

"Do you think you can just walk away with the Parker family's money? Dream on!"

Geoffrey narrowed his eyes.

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. In this wealthy family, there was no warmth, only cold calculations of interest.

Just then, someone knocked on the office door. Geoffrey's secretary entered with an uneasy look on her face.

"Mr. Parker Senior, Mr. Parker is here, and he's brought the child with him."

Moments later, Cyrus walked in. He carried Caleb in his arms, with Paige following behind timidly.

Cyrus didn't even dare to look at me. Instead, he carried Caleb straight to Geoffrey. "Grandpa, Caleb heard that you were here and insisted on coming to see you."

Although Caleb looked pale, he greeted Geoffrey politely, "Hello, Great-grandpa."

Geoffrey's previously stern expression instantly softened, and he reached out to pat Caleb's head. "What a well-behaved boy."

Paige, who stood in the corner, stole a glance at me. Her eyes didn't match her fragile appearance; instead, they held a trace of smugness.

As long as Geoffrey acknowledged Caleb as his great-grandson, even if Paige wasn't accepted, she would still be regarded as someone who had made a great contribution to the family. And I would eventually be swept out the door.

There was an increase in confidence in Cyrus' gaze when he looked at me.

"Melanie, since Grandpa has spoken, can't you just accept it for the sake of the family?"

I could no longer hold back the nausea I felt. Covering my mouth, I rushed to the restroom and threw up until I felt the world around me spin.

When I returned, Paige suddenly dropped to her knees before me, tears streaming down her face.

"Ms. Lightwood, I know I shouldn't have come back, but Caleb needs a heart surgery. The best specialist in the country is right here in Ludonia. I only returned to save my son's life!"

She looked up, the picture of fragile distress.

"As soon as Caleb gets a successful surgery, I'll take him away immediately. I won't stay around and get in your way. Ms. Lightwood, you're a woman and you once had a child, too. Please, won't you show a little mercy, as one mother to another?"