Chapter 3

"You've forgotten, haven't you?"

"Do you still remember when your relationship with her started to change?"

I looked at him calmly. "Do you remember what you said to me after I caught you two after your reckless night together?"

The living room fell silent. The faint scent of vetiver in the air pulled both Finley's and my thoughts back to the past.

Lily was a college student Finley brought back from a business trip to a remote area two years ago. At that time, she was angry about her family wanting to marry her off to the neighboring village chief's son and resenting her fate.

She tearfully complained about how difficult it had been to stay in school and accused her parents of favoritism. The determination in her expression moved Finley.

The billionaire CEO decided to sponsor her, so he brought her back and arranged for her to attend a prestigious university not far from the Anderson estate.

He bought her a house, a luxury car for transportation, and gave her a black card as spending money.

Gradually, Finley grew closer to her and more distant from me. He even became completely indifferent to our son.

Finally, one night when he was working late, Finley came home to the wrong place.

After I discovered them, he knelt on the ground, constantly pulling my hand to hit his face.

"I'm sorry, Alana. It's my fault. I had too much to drink at the business dinner. She was forced by me..."

"I promise this is the only time. I won't see her anymore. After she graduates, I'll stop sponsoring her."

Then Lily got pregnant.

A mocking smile tugged at my lips. "Finley, can you tell me—you slept with her once a year ago, so why is she eight months pregnant now? Has there been some new medical research showing that ovarian fertilization can be delayed by two to four months?"

"Enough!"

Faced with my questioning, Finley's expression darkened.

"I'll explain all this to you later."

"Where's Asher? Why didn't you bring him back? It's just diarrhea. Does he really need to stay at the hospital this long?"

Thinking of our son, my heart felt like it was being pounded by thousands of iron hammers.

I pulled out the death certificate and divorce papers from my bag, folded neatly. All strength left my body as I sat in the entryway, my face full of despair.

"Three days from now, cremation."

"Find time to come see him with me, and let's get the divorce finalized."

Taking the certificate and papers, Finley's scrutinizing gaze fell on me.

Suddenly, he couldn't help but laugh.

"What a coincidence with the timing, huh?"

He let go, and the certificate and papers fell at my feet.

"Sorry, I never thought diarrhea could actually kill someone."

"I know you're upset, but it's okay. Lily's due in three days."

"After sponsoring her all this time, she's very understanding and grateful. I've already discussed it with her—once the baby's born, we'll bring it over for you to raise. You can just focus on being Mrs. Anderson. But there's one condition: you have to let Lily visit the child regularly."

I froze, turning to look at him in disbelief.

"Finley Anderson! Saying something like that—are you even human?!"

My voice was loud enough to wake Lily, who'd been sleeping in the bedroom.

Finley glanced at me, his eyes full of disapproval.

"Keep it down. Lily's taking an afternoon nap with the baby."

A crisp slap rang out.

Finley's face turned to the side. He turned back, his eyes full of coldness.

"Feel better now?"

"Don't make jokes like that again. Who ever died from diarrhea? Making jokes about Asher like this—aren't you afraid he'll learn bad habits from you?"

So he didn't believe the death certificate.

A wave of exhaustion washed over me. I picked up the divorce papers and signed my name.