Chapter 3

Lowering my head as I rose, "You all go ahead and eat. I'm going to step out for some fresh air."

The next second, Melody's excited voice rang out from behind me, "Yeah! Mom said yes!"

"Aunt Vienna, will you move in tonight and sleep with me?"

I walked alone towards the bamboo grove behind the yard.

My chest felt so tight it was painful, as if I could barely breathe.

After a good while, I slowly made my way back to the bedroom door.

With my hand on the doorknob, just as I was about to push it open, I heard Vienna's voice.

"Damien, do you still want Genevieve to have a son for the Stone family?"

"She's already had four miscarriages, and the doctor said her body isn't fit for pregnancy anymore."

The air fell silent for a few seconds, then Damien's deep voice came through.

"Not being fit doesn't mean she can't have a baby. I'll make sure she gives birth to a son, don't worry."

"But you've been together for nine years, Damien, tell me!"

"Have you actually fallen in love with her?"

Through the crack in the door, I could vaguely see Damien intimately draping his arm around Vienna's shoulders. "Vienna, how could you ever doubt my sincerity towards you? We're childhood sweethearts," he cooed softly, trying to soothe her.

Vienna lowered his head, took one of his hands, and kissed the soft flesh between his thumb and index finger.

"Damien, I'm sorry. I love you so much that I'm starting to regret the decision I made back then."

Under the warm yellow light, their silhouettes intertwined.

I covered my mouth, fighting back the urge to vomit as I turned and rushed towards the bathroom.

So, all these years, my existence to Damien was nothing more than an easily manipulated tool for procreation.

It turns out, the best friend I thought I had was just using me for her convenience.

Orphaned from a young age, I was raised with great difficulty by my grandmother.

I finally made it to college, only to receive news of my grandmother's passing during the second semester of my freshman year.

But back then, it was Vienna who helped me through those dark days.

She was the one who gave me warmth, telling me that from then on, we would be family.

But all of this was just a lie she told to deceive me!

She took advantage of my trust in her to introduce me to Damien. If it weren't for her, how could I have married Damien Stone based solely on my background?

Yet Damien, in order to marry me back then, clearly handed over his rightful shares to his uncle.

Could all of this have been an elaborately staged play they planned?

Just to have me bear an heir for the Stone family.

My head felt like it was about to explode, but I forced myself to maintain composure so as not to appear too disheveled.

Behind me, the sound of high heels clicking on the floor grew closer.

A hand caressed the small of my back. I straightened up, wanting to shake it off, but then I heard Melody's voice.

"Mom, Aunt and I have been looking for you in the garden for a while."

"Yes, Genevieve, why haven't you come inside yet?"

"Are you feeling unwell somewhere?"

My sister-in-law looked at me, her eyes showing some concern.

For a moment, I couldn't tell if her concern was genuine or fake.

Would she really not know about the relationship between Damien and Vienna?

The hand on my back withdrew, and then she linked her arm with mine.

"It's getting late. I'll help you inside. You should go home with Damien and the others."

"Melody, take care of your mother."

"OK." Melody walked on my other side, holding my hand and muttering softly.

"Your health is so poor, Dad told you to stay home, but you didn't listen."

"Thankfully, Aunt Vienna will be there to keep me company tonight."