Chapter 3

I heard my mother-in-law say, "Vivienne, dear, you must be exhausted taking care of Xavion. This is just a little something from me, please accept it."

That jade bracelet - I'd been asking my mother-in-law for it for ages. She'd promised it to me when I gave birth to a boy. Now, right in front of me, she's putting it on the wrist of some postpartum nanny.

Vivienne beamed with joy. When she noticed Dashiell's arm around my waist, her eyes flashed with unbridled jealousy.

"Dashiell, you're back! I was just nursing Xavion and now I'm parched. I'm craving some chicken noodle soup."

Before she'd even finished speaking, Dashiell had yanked his hand away from me and rushed into the kitchen. Vivienne shot me a smug look.

Meanwhile, my mother-in-law began berating me loudly, "Seraphina, what were you thinking, going to that charity gala? You caused my first grandson to be born premature. Get your ass to the family chapel and start praying!"

I looked troubled, "Mom, I just got out of the hospital. I'm still very weak."Mother-in-law grabbed the broom from the corner, striking me with it in one swift motion. "How dare you defy me? Are you no longer listening to what I say? Go now!"

My gaze fell upon Dashiell in the kitchen. He was busy making chicken noodle soup for Vivienne, completely oblivious to my situation.

Mother-in-law summoned several housekeepers, and they shoved me down to kneel in the family chapel.

Not long after, I heard Vivienne's voice from outside: "Dashiell, I've missed you so much these past few days."

Through the window of the family chapel, I saw Dashiell sitting on the living room couch with Vivienne perched on his lap.

Dashiell's hand rested on her dress-clad thigh. "Vivienne, didn't I send you so many dresses? Why are you only wearing this one?"

Despite Vivienne's protests, Dashiell insisted on picking up his phone and ordering another hundred dresses.I recall the days when I'd bring home a few packages, only to have Dashiell mock me. He'd ridicule my lack of taste, jeering at the ugly clothes I'd bought.

When I'd playfully beg him to help me pick out clothes, he'd fiddle with his video game, not even bothering to look up as he claimed he was too busy.

But now, here he is, willing to put in the effort to choose so many dresses for Vivienne. As I listened to him meticulously describing the patterns and styles of the clothes,

I watched Vivienne happily kiss the corner of his mouth, while Dashiell's hand impatiently slid under her skirt.

After he hung up the phone, he carried Vivienne upstairs. Moments later, the light in Dashiell's and my bedroom flickered on.

Dashiell, you didn't even consider that I was home before taking Vivienne into our bedroom.

As if knowing I could see, Vivienne pulled open the curtains and gave a thumbs down towards the family chapel. Her face was smug, with a pair of large hands emerging from behind to wrap around her waist.

My heart felt as if it were being slowly sliced by an invisible knife, the pain unbearable.Mother-in-law kicked open the chapel door with a bang, yanking my ear and shoving me to the ground. "Seraphina, you lazy bitch! Can't even kneel properly in the family chapel!"

Mother-in-law berated me for a solid four hours. My knees were black and blue by the time I stumbled upstairs.

As I was about to take the last step, Vivienne blocked my path, arms crossed.

Wearing my silk nightgown, she sneered, "Excuse me, ma'am. I need to go feed the young master."

Looking down at my blood-stained hospital gown, I stood next to Vivienne. She looked every bit the lady of the house while the nearby maids gossiped in hushed tones.