Chapter 1

A definitive answer came from the other end of the phone.After hanging up, I wiped away my tears. Jonathan's secretary had sent me a text message. It was a family photo of the three of them in front of an amusement park. The child's face was identical to Jonathan's.Linda Walsh's explanation followed immediately. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Rivers. I sent that by mistake. Please don't misunderstand.”"Mr. Rivers only pitied Henry for not having a father, so he lied about the business trip to come play with us."I saw through her clumsy misdirection immediately."It's fine. He's just an illegitimate kid, I suppose. Growing up without a father was probably what made him call just anyone 'Daddy.' You should really teach him better manners, Ms. Walsh."Jonathan called me the next moment."Claire Young, what nonsense are you spouting? Henry isn't illegitimate. He's my kid!"Hearing those words, my already frozen heart was pierced with a sharp sense of pain."Back then, I dismissed all of the

Chapter 2

Each cry seemed to tear at my heart. If my children with Jonathan had been born, would they have called out "Daddy" and "Mommy" in such sweet voices too?Jonathan's fleeting guilt vanished instantly. He grabbed Linda's arm to stop her from leaving. His voice was firm."I still make the decisions in the Rivers household. If I say Henry is my child, then he is my child! It doesn't matter if Claire refuses to accept it!"He determinedly took Linda's hand and brought her and Henry back inside.Jonathan settled them in the master bedroom. It was only after that did he spare some attention for me, who was standing dazed in the living room."Claire, Henry wants to sleep in the master bedroom with Linda and me, so you’ll need to move out for this month. You can move back when he's adjusted to the change here."He spoke casually, as if it were a trivial matter. Without waiting for my answer, he turned and left, following Henry's repeated calls.It was not a request for my opinion, but a

Chapter 3

I kept banging my head against the door until my fingers were bloody from clawing at it. I broke down and screamed."I was wrong! I shouldn't have called Henry an illegitimate child!”"Please! I shouldn't have defied you! I'll never do it again, Jonathan!"However, even after I shouted until my voice was hoarse and I was completely exhausted, no one came to open the door.Finally, Linda's voice came from outside. She laughed sweetly. "Mrs. Rivers, you look so pathetic! It's too bad Mr. Rivers gave me the basement key. You'll have to please me if you want to get out!"I begged desperately. "I'm sorry! I was wrong! Please let me out!"Even so, Linda would not relent. She laughed and demanded I continue.Just then, her phone rang. Her voice turned pitiful. "Mr. Rivers, Mrs. Rivers still refuses to admit her mistake. She's calling me a whore and Henry a b*stard.”"All right, I'll keep Mrs. Rivers locked up until she apologizes."After hanging up, Linda was triumphant."Mrs. River

Chapter 4

I walked into the guest bedroom by myself, only to find all my belongings scattered on the floor. There were small footprints on my dresses and yellow urine stains on the bed.I walked out holding the only clean corner of the bedsheet and looked at Henry, whose face was full of defiance.Jonathan looked down and frowned. "Henry, why did you urinate on Claire's bedsheet?"Linda gently patted his bottom. "Henry, when did you do this? Apologize to Mrs. Rivers right now!"Henry apologized obediently, though his eyes showed no trace of remorse.Jonathan warned him, "Don't do it again!" He raised his hand high but brought it down gently. Jonathan was actually a doting father, I thought sarcastically.Even so, I would not let him off easily. I stood in front of him, picked up his favorite toy, threw it to the ground. And then? Crushed it under my foot.Henry burst into tears while Linda quickly picked him up to comfort him.Jonathan frowned deeply and lit a cigarette. "Claire, you

Chapter 5

When Jonathan reached the hospital, he was already exhausted. He handed Henry to the doctors and turned around, wanting to return to the crash site to find me, but Linda, who had followed close behind, stopped him."Mr. Rivers, I already rescued Mrs. Rivers. She's fine."Jonathan breathed a sigh of relief and collapsed to the floor.The doctor soon emerged. "The patient is fine. It was just breath-holding syncope. He's awake now."Linda quickly pulled Jonathan into the hospital room. The two of them stayed with Henry until evening.It was only then did Jonathan realize something was wrong. He asked every doctor he could find. Not a single department had admitted a patient named Claire.He could not help but ask Linda if she had actually seen me safe and sound with her own eyes.Linda bit her lip and feigned casualness. "Mr. Rivers, you're overthinking this. Why would Mrs. Rivers come to the hospital if she wasn't injured?"Jonathan was still uneasy and called the police station

Chapter 6

Jonathan thought the driver was planning something sinister and quietly followed behind them. That was when he overheard their conversation at the stairwell."Money? You have the nerve to ask me for money? I told you to kill Claire and to hit from the other side! Instead, you couldn't tell left from right and nearly killed my son!""What do you mean you won't pay? Listen here, I did the job, so I want to see the money. Otherwise, I'll tell the police everything. I don't have many days left to live anyway!""Fine! I'll give you 500 grand first. You'll get the rest after I secure my position! I've endured humiliation for seven years and gave birth to Jonathan's only child.”"Now I'm just one step away from becoming the wife of the Rivers Group CEO. You'll get your money soon enough!"Jonathan kicked open the partially closed stairwell door. When they saw him, both their faces turned deathly pale.Linda stammered and fell to her knees beside Jonathan, trying to explain, but Jonathan

Chapter 7

It felt as if we had never been apart. Looking at his handsome face, I lifted his chin and kissed him as he looked on in disbelief.What happened next was unstoppable. Perhaps, having been suppressed for so long, Ethan was particularly passionate. I could barely get out of bed the next day.He carried me to breakfast in his arms.In my third month in Snowcall, I gradually recovered my former cheerfulness with Ethan's companionship. I became that bright, confident Claire again.I accepted his proposal. We held our wedding on a sunny summer day.The day after the wedding, I encountered Jonathan at my front door.After months apart, that once high-spirited playboy looked utterly disheveled. His face was unshaven, and he appeared before me in a wrinkled suit.The heart that had once beaten countless times for him now felt strangely calm.The moment he saw me, Jonathan rushed forward, trying to embrace me, but I stepped aside to avoid him.I asked politely, "Is there something you

All Chapters of Love's Bitter Truth: Chapter 1 - Chapter 7