Chapter 4

Marie's headache intensified at Damon's nonchalant attitude.

She shook her head and turned her attention to Clark and Nyla. "You've been married for three years now. When are you planning on having kids? I'm looking forward to having great-grandchildren."

The moment this topic came up, the atmosphere in the living room suddenly became tense. Nyla's fingers gripped her teacup so tightly her knuckles turned white.

This was her most sensitive topic, the one that pierced her heart every time it was mentioned.

Clark's aunt Anne immediately seized the opportunity.

She leaned forward with a sneer. "Nyla, you and Clark have been married for three years. What will it look like if you don't have a child? What will others think of our Summer family?"

She paused, malice glinting in her eyes. "And if Clark hadn't insisted on marrying you, do you think you could have married into our Summer family with your background? Don't be so ungrateful. You don't want to have children for Clark, but there are plenty of women out there who would."

Anne spoke with mock concern, but her gaze was filled with contempt. She had always looked down on this niece-in-law.

Talking about children made Nyla's chest tighten with pain. Of course she wanted a child. She had given up her promising career in scientific research to be a good wife. But she couldn't conceive.

She had secretly visited doctors who said nothing was wrong with her body. Perhaps it was stress. But the Summer family often mocked her, calling her barren and useless.

Just as Nyla was drowning in humiliation, Clark suddenly took her hand. He smiled at his grandmother. "Grandma, we're trying! There's no rushing these things. We have to let nature take its course."

Then he turned to Anne, his voice stern. "Anne, watch your words. Nyla is my wife, and I won't tolerate anyone speaking to her like that."

Anne's face flushed red at being publicly rebuked. "I'm doing this for your own good. You've been married for so long without any progress..."

"That's enough," Clark interrupted sharply. "You don't need to worry about Nyla and me. And I want to make it clear that I'm honored to have Nyla as my wife. She didn't marry up."

Nyla felt a confusing mix of emotions as she listened to Clark's defense. The love they had shared over the years was genuine. Clark's protection of her had always felt real. He consistently stood between her and his family's criticism.

But at the same time, his betrayal was also real. Those photos, that necklace in the trash can, the woman's taunting messages. All of it reminded her that this man had deceived her completely.

Anne was clearly unwilling to let this go. She continued with false sweetness. "I'm just telling the truth. No pregnancy in three years? Maybe there's something wrong with her body. With all the medical advances these days, she should get checked out. There are treatments for these things."

"Anne!" Clark's voice turned dangerously cold. "I'm warning you for the last time. Whether or when we have children is between Nyla and me. It's not your business to interfere."

In the past, Nyla would have been grateful for Clark's protection. She would have seen it as proof of his love. But today, hearing these words felt hollow.

She knew that the moment Clark cheated, everything changed. No amount of public defense could erase what he had done in private.

Midway through the banquet, Clark's phone suddenly rang.

"Sorry, everyone," Clark said with an apologetic smile. "There's an emergency at work. I need to handle this right away."

He turned to Nyla, his expression softening. "Honey, can you have Grandma's driver take you home? I'll be back as soon as I can."

Marie waved dismissively. "Clark, go ahead. Don't worry about Nyla."

Clark kissed Nyla's forehead quickly. "I'll make this up to you, I promise."

As soon as Clark's car disappeared down the driveway, Marie's polite mask slipped completely. She looked at Nyla with open displeasure.

"Well, now that Clark's gone," Marie said coolly, "I suppose you'll be wanting to leave too."

The temperature in the room seemed to drop.

"Nyla's not some delicate flower," Anne chimed in with renewed confidence. "She can find her own way home, can't she?"

Nyla felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment. She had been dismissed like a servant. Without Clark's protection, she meant nothing to these people.

"I think that's my cue to leave," Nyla said. She stood up. "Thank you for your hospitality."

The butler, following Marie's subtle nod, escorted Nyla only to the manor gate. He immediately turned back toward the house, leaving her standing alone on the roadside.

That's when the rain started.

Fat droplets fell from the dark sky, quickly soaking through Nyla's silk dress.

She pulled out her phone to call a taxi, but the app showed no available drivers in this remote area. The Summer estate was far from the city center.

The rain intensified rapidly. Within minutes, Nyla was completely drenched. Her carefully styled hair hung in wet strands around her face. Her dress clung uncomfortably to her skin.

Just when she thought things couldn't get worse, headlights cut through the darkness. A black Rolls-Royce slowed to a stop beside her.

The window rolled down, revealing Damon's sharp features.