Chapter 4 After the wedding, he vanished completely from my life. But online, the truth had been twisted beyond recognition. They called me the mistress, said I had clung to him shamelessly. Some even Photoshopped my obituary and spread it across the internet. The insults seeped into every corner of my life, suffocating me like a nightmare I couldn't wake from. A few netizens dug up old photos of me and Norwell during his start-up years, uncovered our five-year lease records. Someone anonymously posted, [If Cynthia was the mistress, then what does that make Lucy?] Those voices had barely surfaced before they were silenced. Harris Group's legal department released a statement: [Cease all slander and malicious attacks against Ms. Murphy immediately. The Harris Group legal team has initiated proceedings. We will not tolerate defamation.]. Within half an hour, every related hashtag was deleted, every thread wiped clean. I was left to face the barrage of abuse alone, humiliated and a public laughingstock. He didn't do a thing. But when Lucy was questioned even slightly, he unleashed every resource at his disposal to shield her. The comments overflowed with sympathy and praise. [Lucy has suffered so much. Thank God Mr. Harris is always by her side.] [Who wouldn't want to marry a man like this? He's the ultimate example of a devoted husband!] I sat at the edge of my bed, staring down at the ultrasound of the child inside me. It was then I understood, It wasn't that he didn't know how to protect someone, it was simply that he had never wanted to protect At my next hospital checkup, I ran into them. The moment Norwell saw me, he rushed over. "Cynthia, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!" I bit down on my lip, saying nothing. "Whatever you need, I can make it up to you. You've been with me all these years-I won't let you walk away Chapter 4 40.00% empty handed, " "Make it up to me?" let out a dry, bitter laugh "In the next few days, I'll transfer money to you. You can take a trip abroad, clear your head. A house, a car, jewelry-whatever you want, I'll buy it for you." He said it so casually, as if ten years of my devotion could be reduced to a few digits in his bank account. 1 fixed my gaze on him. He added, "I already had a vasectomy, and you've always struggled with your health. Having children would be difficult for you." "From now on, Ryan can be your child. I'll even let him take your last name if you'd like. And if you want your own, I can arrange an adoption..." His expression shifted, heavy with emotion. "You know I've always wanted a child. I promised Lucy-I'll only ever acknowledge Ryan." The heat of midsummer pressed down around us, yet I trembled with cold. Then what about the child in my belly? What did that make them? A savage pain twisted through my abdomen, sharp as knives. Cold sweat broke across my forehead, my face drained of color. He didn't notice. Seeing me lower my head in silence, he assumed I was sulking. "Cynthia, she doesn't have much time left." He said it with a note of reproach. "Can't you be a little more generous? You've lived on your own for ten years, grown used to independence and strength. She can't compare to you. Right now, she has no one else-only me." His brows furrowed as he went on, voice low, "If it hadn't been for you stopping me back then-keeping me from going abroad to find her-maybe Lucy and I wouldn't be where we are today..." For a moment, I had no words to refute him. Back when Lucy fled overseas in a hasty marriage, he drowned himself in alcohol, nearly fell into depression. It was my hand that stopped him from swallowing those pills. It was me who stayed, who carried him back to his feet. Once, he said he loved me for my independence, admired my pride and strength. Now I realized, it was only because he had nothing then. Chapter 4 40.00% The ache in my chest deepened, spreading like wildfire. "Cynthia, I'm not asking you. I'm telling you. His voice was firm, decisive, as if he were some noble martyr making sacrifices in the name of love. "Alright," I said softly, "I'll give you what you want." When I turned to leave, he pulled me into a desperate embrace. "Once her wish is fulfilled, I'll give you a perfect wedding. I'll build a future for us." Every word in my ears cut like an insult. "Cynthia, I'm begging you!" Before I could answer, someone shouted, "She's fainted!" He shoved me aside and rushed forward. Lucy had collapsed at the door. Chapter 4 40.00% Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!