Chapter 4

Everyone turned toward the voice as Leah walked in, carrying an exquisitely decorated cake. She wore a sweet smile on her face as she marched straight to Zachary's side and naturally slipped her arm through his.

"I'm so sorry, Professor Reed. The traffic was a nightmare. But anyways, happy birthday!"

Emmanuel froze, clearly not recognizing Leah, but she didn't seem to notice. Her smile remained poised, though sharp with an unmistakable sense of claim.

"Professor Reed, I'm Zach's wife, Leah Hayes. We just had a baby last month. Didn't he mention it to you?"

Ignoring Emmanuel's grim expression, she kept her arm locked in Zachary's and stepped toward me. "It's been seven years since you and Zachary got divorced, Alyssa. Haven't you moved on yet?"

She intentionally paused, and a provocative smirk tugged at the corners of her lips. "It'd be scandalous if people thought you were trying to seduce a married man!"

She made a show of smoothing her hair and flashed the diamond ring on her ring finger. "I heard you're working as a hospital nurse now just to make ends meet. If you need any help, you must tell us."

Zachary pulled at her arm. "That's enough. What nonsense are you talking about? Aly and I are just here for Professor Reed's birthday, so stop making a scene!"

I found the scene utterly absurd. The way Leah was acting now reminded me so much of my younger, foolish self, who desperately tried to hold on to her place as the lawful wife.

When Leah noticed the look on my face, her temper flared.

"Honey, what's there to miss about her so much that you're even defending her now?

"Alyssa, you should learn from your short-lived mom and just die!"

I stepped forward and slapped her hard across the face.

"Your mom ruined my parents' marriage and drove Mom into depression. And after doing the same thing to steal my husband, you're now twisting the story to blame it all on me.

"Like mother, like daughter. You're both just as shameless."

Leah's eyes turned red with fury. "Zach, are you just going to let her insult me?"

Zachary looked at the hysterical Leah in disgust. "Enough. You owe it to Aly, so you earned every word."

Then, he turned to me and continued, "We're at fault for what happened back then, but I hope you can forgive—"

"I'm back just to visit my mom's grave and celebrate Professor Reed's birthday," I cut him off. "I have no interest in playing along with your little drama."

Still, Leah wouldn't let it slide. She lunged forward and tried to grab me. "Just admit it, Alyssa! You're just jealous that Zachary loves me, and even your son chooses me over you!"

I stepped back to avoid her and coldly said, "I have no reason to be bitter. I have a husband and a daughter now, and I'm happy."

Both Zachary and Leah froze. Even Archie, who'd appeared at some point, stared at me with wide, disbelieving eyes.

Leah let out a mocking laugh. "Stop putting on an act! Everyone knows you could barely survive after the divorce, and now, you're just cleaning up after patients in a hospital. Where would you get a husband and a daughter?"

When she kept advancing, Zachary tried to hold her back, but failed to stop her.

Just as her fingers were about to touch me, a cold male voice thundered from the gates, carrying suppressed fury.

"Touch my wife, and I'll break that filthy hand of yours!"