Chapter 3

Bertha slapped Jasper's hand away and pulled me into her arms. "What's going on? Can't you talk this through properly?"

We came from similar backgrounds. After she learned that my mother had died young, she often sighed and said that seeing me was like seeing her younger self. She told me she would be my mother from then on.

The way she shielded me tightened my throat. "Mother, I…"

"Mom!" Kimberly's voice cut across mine as she hurried downstairs.

A second later, she walked straight over and slipped her arm through my mother-in-law's.

"This is all my fault," she said softly. "If I hadn't wanted to marry Jas, he wouldn't have taken it out on Roxanne."

She lowered her eyes. "I just don't want my child to be called illegitimate from birth. I never meant to hurt Roxanne…"

As she spoke, she rested her head against my mother-in-law's shoulder and acted spoiled.

I stood there, frozen, and watched Bertha's hand rise instinctively to pat her back.

"Mother?" My voice came out dry.

Only then did she turn to me. An awkward apology spread across her face.

"Roxy, Kimmy looks so much like my eldest daughter who passed away," she said carefully. "It hurts my heart. So I acknowledged her as my goddaughter."

She hesitated. "I didn't tell you because I was afraid you would overthink it."

For a moment, something close to absurd laughter rose in my chest.

"Mom, why are you explaining this to her?" Jasper cut in impatiently.

He stepped forward and wrapped an arm around Kimberly's shoulders. Accusation sharpened his tone. "Kimmy almost jumped off the balcony for me just now. The priority is getting the divorce done."

"What?!" My mother-in-law's face changed instantly. She grabbed Kimberly's arms and scanned her in panic.

After a long moment, she seemed to remember that I was still in the room.

She turned toward me slowly. Guilt flickered in her eyes, and struggle followed close behind.

"Roxy, I don't want to force you, but…"

I looked at the three of them standing together. The last thread of hesitation inside me snapped.

It was a pity that my gift did not work on her. Taking her son's fortune would be more than enough to wound her.

I met her gaze, my voice level. "Even if we go now, there are approval procedures before they issue the certificate. What difference does one day earlier or later make?"

Jasper pinched the bridge of his nose. Irritation flashed across his face. "That's not the point. It's—"

I raised my voice and cut him off. "No matter what you say, I gave three years to this family. You really have to throw me out on Christmas?"

Kimberly's composure cracked. "If you don't want a divorce, just say it. Why drag this out?"

I turned to her. My tone was almost gentle. "If you're worried, we can sign a divorce agreement first. Date it for tomorrow."

I held Jasper's gaze. "I can even start preparing your wedding in advance. You can be his wife in-name first. This is my final concession."

Silence stretched.

After a moment, Jasper spoke.

"Roxanne, considering you have been obedient these past years, this won't happen again." Condescension edged his tone.

He looked at me as if he were granting mercy. "Don't use feelings to threaten me in the future. Otherwise, don't blame me for being heartless."

The decision settled over the room.

I saw the flicker of unwillingness in Kimberly's eyes, but she swallowed it. She pulled out her phone and aimed the camera at me.

"Roxanne, you promise," she said. "You will divorce him tomorrow. Right?"

Under the lens, I curved my lips into a small, certain smile. "Of course."

I just did not know whether, by tomorrow, he would still have the strength to walk into City Hall at all.