Chapter 3

Behind Nathan was Ian, who had just had a blast at his birthday party, and Bella, whose hand Ian was tightly holding.

All three of them were wearing formal clothing in the same shade. They looked just like a real family.

Nathan was about to look in the fireplace when Bella took a step forward. Smiling, she greeted Ember, "Ian said it's his birthday, and his birthday wish is for me to spend the night here. You wouldn't mind, would you?"

As if he were expecting Ember to decline, Nathan started in annoyance, "It's just for a night. Stop—"

"I don't mind." Ember's expression didn't seem forced, and there was even a peaceful smile on her face.

But Nathan felt his throat tighten.

He thought, "This isn't right. Ember wouldn't have agreed to it so easily. At the very least, she would make a huge fuss, then break down crying as she begged me not to let Bella in. She'd claim that she wouldn't be able to bear it."

However, Ian was already jumping in joy. "Yay! I love sleeping with Bella! I want Daddy to come, too. All three of us can share a bed tonight!"

Bella immediately put a hand over Ian's mouth, saying sheepishly, "Sorry, Ms. Lawson. Ian is just a kid, so he can only express his truest thoughts. For my sake, please don't hold it against him."

Every single word she spoke was meant to provoke Ember.

Nathan subconsciously glanced at Ember, ready to deal with her dramatic reactions. He even knew what he was going to say in response, which was, "Bella just loves Ian too much. Stop jumping to conclusions."

But Ember remained expressionless. "Whatever floats your boat."

With that, she turned around and returned to her room.

…

Bella was lying on the bed in form-fitting pajamas, with Ian snuggled right between her and Nathan.

She simply gave Ian a wink, and Ian immediately climbed out of bed. "I like to sleep on the side. Daddy, you should sleep with Bella."

With that, he pushed Bella to the center.

As if she didn't realize what was going on, Bella fell into Nathan's arms.

The flimsy pajama strap slipped off her shoulder, and Bella's full chest was pressed seamlessly against Nathan's own. Her red lips were flush against his neck.

Bella said, "Nathan, my stomach hurts. Can you rub it for me?"

With that, she grabbed his hand and guided it downward, pressing it against a spot that definitely wasn't her stomach.

Nathan swallowed hard. He was about to curl his fingers when, through the reflection in the cabinet door, he spotted Ember, who was passing by with a mug in her hand.

Nathan had left the door wide open to avoid suspicion.

And so, just as he was able to see Ember, Ember could also see exactly what he and Bella were doing.

"It's not what you think!" Nathan rushed over to stop Ember, only to come face to face with her indifferent expression.

Ember said, "Yes, I know."

She was agreeing with him, but for some reason, he felt humiliated, as if his dirty thoughts had been exposed.

Nathan was furious. "Enough, Ember. How much longer are you going to throw a tantrum over that little thing?"

Just then, Bella approached the two, trembling. Her eyes were reddened as she apologized, "Ms. Lawson, if you're upset, just take it out on me. Please don't get into a fight with Nathan. Let's do this instead."

Bella suddenly stepped forward and gripped Ember's wrist. "If you still can't let it go, just hit me! As long as it helps vent your anger, I don't care what happens to me."

With that, she raised Ember's hand and brought it down toward her face.

Just then, Ian came running and shouted at Ember, "Bad Mommy! Why are you always making everyone unhappy? I don't want you anymore. Go away!"

Ember happened to be standing at the top of the stairs. With all his might, Ian pushed Ember so hard that she missed her footing. In her panic, Ember grabbed Bella's hand.

"Nathan, help!" Bella screamed in terror.

The two women were about to fall at the same time. Nathan dashed forward, completely passing Ember, who was nearer to him. Without any hesitation, he reached out and gripped Bella's hand.

Ember rolled down the stairs.

Blood filled her vision, and her whole body was wracked with immense pain. Soon, she passed out.

By the time Ember woke up, Nathan was sitting next to the hospital bed. He had dark circles under his eyes, as if he hadn't slept all night.

"How are you feeling?" The man's usually calm voice was quivering. "How did your health deteriorate so suddenly? Did you get sick?"