All Chapters of His Ex-Wife’s Second Pregnancy Left Mr. Powell in Tears: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

When it came to this cold, domineering stepson, Jane had never once gotten the upper hand.She didn’t dare confront him head-on. Instead, she worked behind the scenes, pulling small tricks when she thought no one was watching. She knew perfectly well that Mark had just heard what she said about Lisa, and that was why he’d turned on her.It wasn’t because he cared so deeply about Lisa.It was because Mark’s authority was not something anyone challenged.Back then, Mark had only married Lisa because of his grandfather’s pressure. Their relationship barely counted as peaceful coexistence. Everyone knew Mark still had someone else in his heart, and Jane had been waiting for years to see how this marriage would fall apart.She didn’t dare argue now. Forcing a smile, she said, “I was just joking with Lisa. She’s a scientist. I’m still waiting for her to bring glory to the country and honor to the Powell family. Why would I ever send her into the kitchen?”The words sounded polite, but

Lisa knew exactly where his low mood was coming from. It was probably tied to Annie’s engagement.That thought only made the bitterness in her chest worse. She pushed his hand away and swung her legs off the bed. “I’ll sleep in the guest room tonight.”Mark didn’t say a word. He just reached out, grabbed her wrist, and pulled her back down.“Mark, I don’t want to,” Lisa said. Even the corners of her eyes had turned red. “Can you at least respect me for once?”“I’m your husband,” he shot back. “I have needs right now. Can’t you respect that?”“When have I ever not let you do whatever you wanted?” she said. “Have I ever fought you?”Their bodies were close, the position intimate, but the air between them had gone ice-cold.Mark let out a short laugh, irritation darkening his eyes. “Lisa, is being with me really that painful for you?”Lisa closed her eyes. Tears slipped down silently.—The sound of running water came from the bathroom.After a few seconds, Lisa got up and went

Strangely enough, the moment Annie finished speaking and caught sight of Lisa, the Pomeranian started barking again.Annie carefully picked it up, lowered her gaze, and said meekly, “I’ll take Coco outside first.”She quickly carried the dog out to the yard, then came back in.By then, Lisa had already taken her seat.Luther tried to smooth things over. “Coco’s not familiar with Lisa yet. Give it a few days and it’ll stop barking.”Jane added, “Isn’t it strange? It doesn’t snap at anyone else. Just her.”Nick chimed in too. “Yeah, Coco’s usually really well-behaved.”Annie glanced at Lisa before speaking again. “I’ve heard that dogs are actually very sensitive. They can tell who means well and who doesn’t. Lisa, don’t dislike Coco, okay? It’s really a good dog.”Lisa hadn’t planned on arguing. But hearing that, she wasn’t about to swallow it.“The first time I met it, I didn’t do anything. It was the one that tried to bite me. If anything, shouldn’t I be blaming its owner for

“Why so many questions?” Mark’s patience ran thin. “Forget it. It’s nothing. I’ve got a meeting.”Luke laughed. “Hey, don’t hang up. You don’t ask for advice like this often. There’s an art to calming a woman down. At least tell me who she is. Lisa? No way. What, you two finally caught feelings from sharing a bed?”Mark paused for a beat. “Of course not her.”Luke burst out laughing. “Alright, alright, I’ll stop. It’s Annie, right? That’s easy. Young girls love to shop. Clothes, bags, jewelry. Just buy the expensive stuff.”Mark’s patience snapped. “That’s it. I’m hanging up.”“Hey! Mark, you’re unbelievable! Using me and tossing me aside—”Mark ignored the yelling and ended the call.His assistant, Evan Adams, knocked and came in to give his usual work report.After listening, Mark offered a few comments, then added casually, “There’s a charity auction hosted by Mr. Leedon. Go and bid on a piece of jewelry.”Evan nodded. “Understood.”He was about to leave when Mark called h

Lisa lowered her gaze, hiding everything she felt.Mark took her hand. “Tell me.”Her nose stung. Her eyes burned.So he could be gentle too.How ironic. In the past, she’d only ever seen this side of him when he was with Annie.His cool, familiar scent drew closer as he reached out and pulled her into his arms.“Tell me what you want,” Mark murmured above her head, his voice low and coaxing. “I’ll do my best to give it to you. Just don’t talk about divorce again, okay?”His voice had always been pleasant to listen to. Now, stripped of its usual coldness, it was deep and intimate, dangerously persuasive.Lisa’s cheek rested against his chest. She could hear the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.For a moment, it felt as if the whole world had been softened, wrapped in a gentle glow.Even her battered, cracked heart seemed to stir again, stubbornly beating on.She let out a quiet, self-mocking smile.How pathetic.Even now, she could still be moved so easily.As long as it wa