Chapter 5

Seeing Dad lift his hand again, my mother-in-law walked up, voice coated in fake comfort, "Arthur, stop hitting them. Growing up without a mother’s care, of course, they don’t know right from wrong. You can teach her later."

Then she faced Aster. "Hurry and take Nikolai to the clinic for a check, don’t let his head get worse."

Sean hurried forward. "Mom, the guests are all present. I’ll take him. You stay with Aster and talk to everyone so we don’t delay any business."

He held the baby tighter and turned to leave.

Aster instantly wrapped her arms around him, guilt flashing in her eyes. "Sean, you’re always so thoughtful and kind. Thank you for your hard work.”

Sean gently smiled. "As your lover, this is what I should do. You welcome the guests, I’ll message you if something happens."

Carrying the baby, he walked out.

Dad then took Aster by the arm, faced the guests, and loudly announced the cooperation.

Aster even raised the microphone, stating that both families would stay united and support each other in the future.

Cheers and laughter filled the banquet hall.

I stayed alone near the side, chest aching with dull bitterness. Pulled by Cassandra, I ended up at the hospital.

Just turning past the corner, Sean walked toward us. When he saw the wrap on my forehead, every bit of softness vanished.

Lifting his chin with arrogance, he said, "Finley, now you see who Aster truly loves, right?"

He leaned in, lowering his tone, "Aster and I were never an accident. We were together one year before your wedding. She married you out of sympathy."

"Do you know why she got sterilized? I told her to. She could be married, but she must never give you a child, or I’d leave. To keep me, she knelt and vowed she’d never carry your baby, then went right away to get sterilized.”

After saying that, he clicked his tongue, stepped back, eyes cold. "Finley, the Olson Corporation will one day be my son's. If you know what’s good for you, get lost. If not, I’ll make sure you and your sister die with no burial."

Laughing hard, he walked away.

As I watched the girl hurry over with medicine, I took out my phone and called a number I knew well.

"Gretta Acosta, I agree to go to Canada. My request is simple: make sure Cassandra’s future is settled for good."

The answer came excitedly. "Finley, you finally understand. I’ll handle it at once; someone will pick you up tomorrow."