Chapter 5 Jennifer stepped out of her room to find the living room dimmed , the three of them huddled on the couch playing video games . Edward Harris curled up in Nicole Harris's arms while Nicole leaned against Alexander Smith's shoulder , their laughter echoing nonstop . Alexander took Edward's hand , guiding his fingers over the controller before gently ruffling his hair . They didn't even glance up as Jennifer passed by , treating her like thin air . Alexander used to recoil from any physical contact - he'd push her away at the slightest touch . Yet now , he let Nicole nestle comfortably against his shoulder without protest . " Tll tidy up the coffee table , " Nicole said , starting to rise . Alexander's slender fingers pressed down on her wrist . " Nicole dear , don't dirty your hands with chores . Meanwhile , Edward burrowed deeper into Alexander's embrace . " Miss Harris , your hands are too precious for this , " Jennifer's mother chimed in , scurrying from the kitchen to bow and scrape before them . Jennifer froze , watching her mother's servile display . Her heart felt hollow , a sudden chill shuddering through her . Chapter 5 Her mother grabbed a rag and began wiping the table . In her past life , Jennifer had shouldered all the Smith household burdens -laundry , cooking , even meticulously ironing Alexander's suits before every business trip . Year after year , without complaint . But now she realized : to Alexander , this was simply her place . While Nicole , newly arrived , was already cherished dearly . Jennifer swallowed her questions and retreated to pack her belongings . She finished folding clothes before collapsing onto the bed for a nap . ' Buzz buzz buzz … ! Her phone vibrated violently . " Jennifer , get to the Integrated Medicine Hospital now ! See what you've done ! " Jennifer's heart seized . She rushed to the hospital where Alexander stood in the corridor , suit jacket slung over his arm , tie hanging loose . Nicole knelt sobbing beside him . Spotting Jennifer , Alexander strode forward and slapped her , fury blazing in his eyes . " Why did you tell your mother to serve Edward seafood ? He's deathly allergic ! Are you trying to kill him ?! " Chapter 5 He loomed over her , his shadow swallowing her whole . " I didn't ! " Jennifer met his glare . " I never left my room ! " " Still lying ? Your mother confessed you told her Edward loves seafood ! " Alexander lifted her chin , his rage undiminished . Nicole sprang up and punched Jennifer's chest repeatedly . " Is it because we moved in ? You tried to murder my son while Alexander and I were out ! You vicious monster ! You'll die a horrible death ! " Jennifer staggered from the blows , crashing to the floor as Nicole rained down kicks and punches . Only when exhausted did Nicole finally drop her hands . Jennifer paid no heed to the woman's hysterical screams , feeling as if waterlogged cotton had been stuffed down her throat . She stood there numbly , her palms unconsciously clenching into fists . So this was how her birth mother placed the blame squarely on her shoulders . A bitter smile touched her lips as a thorn labeled " family bond " pierced her heart , drawing blood . " The child is stable now . " A nurse emerged as the hospital room door swung open . Nicole rushed inside , shoving Jennifer aside where she blocked the Chapter 5 doorway . " What exactly happened ? " Alexander demanded , his voice low and controlled . Edward clutched his own throat , gasping dramatically . " I feel awful , Dad . So awful … " Only when tears welled in her eyes did Jennifer realize she'd been crying . How desperately she'd once longed for a child with him . She'd believed herself inadequate , never realizing he'd already built a family elsewhere with his true love .