Chapter 2

I looked at Joseph, at a loss for words.

I couldn't help but wonder if he had lost his mind. Did he realize how ridiculous he sounded?

Adam exclaimed in shock, "What nonsense are you spouting, Joseph? Wendy is married to Uncle Jonathan. The plant now belongs to him."

Back when Joseph disappeared, I sat alone on the aisle, dazed.

Everyone in town knew that my husband died on the way to our wedding. They cursed me for bringing bad luck to my husband and being an agent of misfortune.

Every word cut into me, making me shiver and unable to face them.

Jonathan Larkin was the one who stepped forward and said he was willing to marry me. He was the one who proved to them that I wasn't what they said.

Jonathan personally pulled me out of my despair. So why wouldn't I marry him?

Joseph mocked, saying, "Everyone knows Uncle Jonathan is a man of big dreams. A woman like Wendy would never be worth his time."

Jonathan was known to be a legend in the town. He once took a small amount of money and struck out for the big city on his own, securing deal after deal before returning to take over as the plant manager.

It wasn't an exaggeration to say that he had built half of the Larkin family's foundation. No one in the family dared to cross him.

To this day, I still couldn't understand why Jonathan had chosen me. After all, there were plenty of women far prettier and more capable than I was.

Adam was still trying to get Joseph to believe him. "Just ask Grandpa if you don't believe in me, Joseph."

Joseph scoffed disdainfully. He then stepped out to ask an elderly lady and a child. Both gave him the same answer.

His expression gradually darkened before turning around to glare at me. "You're really shameless, Wendy. I've only been away for a few years, yet you've bribed the entire town and even worked together to deceive me!"

I remained calm in my seat. I couldn't be bothered to waste my time arguing with him.

Everyone knew I married Jonathan. Whether Joseph believed it or not wasn't my concern. He had always been wild and unruly since he was young—a product of being spoiled to the core.

Worried that he might stir up more trouble pestering me, Adam hurried off to find someone else. "Go fetch Uncle Jonathan from downtown now! Get him back right now!"

Jonathan left for downtown early in the morning to check the plant's sales figures, and both Mr. Larkin Senior and Lisa were also out.

Otherwise, Joseph would never have had the chance to raise his voice at me here.

Just as the tension was growing thicker, my son, Bobby Larkin, suddenly ran over. "Come play with me, Mommy!"

Joseph completely lost it the moment he saw Bobby.

His bloodshot eyes flicked back and forth between me and Bobby. After all, Bobby was practically a miniature version of me—only in the form of a young boy.

With a trembling hand, Joseph remarked accusingly. "You even went and had a bastard child! Tell me, whose brat is this?"

Although Bobby couldn't understand what Joseph meant, he could feel Joseph's animosity.

He puffed out his chest and planted himself right in front of me. "Who are you calling a bastard child? Daddy says anyone with a filthy mouth is just begging for a beating!"

Bobby was only six years old. He had never met Joseph before.

Joseph instinctively snapped back at him. "How dare you talk back to me, you bastard child!"

My anger flared.

Bobby was the son whom I carried to full term and brought into this world. I didn't spoil him rotten, and he wasn't someone Joseph could just curse at.

"Watch your words, Joseph! Otherwise, you'll regret it!" I said.

The malice in Mabel's eyes was evident as she smiled. "This child seemed old enough. Don't tell me you've already had him before you got married to Joseph?"

Her accusation was purely baseless.

Joseph got even more livid at that, and his gaze sent daggers.

Nothing enraged a man more than the thought of being cheated on, especially by a woman who once worshipped the ground he walked on.

I shot Mabel a glance and replied, "He's six."

Joseph exclaimed, "Have you no shame, Wendy? I was only gone for a few years—seven, at most—and you already have a six-year-old son?"

Seven years, at most?

We had only known each other for a few years. How many years would I have to wait in my lifetime?

Besides, Joseph was the one who betrayed me first.

Adam anxiously explained, "You're probably unaware of this, Joseph, but this is Uncle Jonathan's son!"