Chapter 4

Rainwater streamed down my face, blurring my vision, but it couldn't wash away the overwhelming feeling of shame and humiliation in my heart.

By the time I reached Hayes Group, my ankles were already raw and bleeding from my high heels, a vivid red mess.

The receptionist gasped in shock at my appearance and rushed forward to help me. "Miss Hayes! What happened to you? Do you need me to call Mr. Harrington? If he sees you like this, he'll be heartbroken again."

My heart ached numbly. Yes, everyone assumed Alexander loved me, without exception. But they didn't know how much deceit and betrayal was woven into that 'love.'

I gently pushed away her helping hand, my voice hoarse. "I'm fine. It just started raining suddenly on the way. Please buy me a clean change of clothes and bring them here."

I handed her my black card, then locked myself in the nearest meeting room.

The door closed, and I could no longer control my agonizing sobs. I had thought that after seeing those photos, I was already immune to reality.

But seeing that family of three appear before me, the deepest scar in my heart was repeatedly ripped open, a bloody, raw wound.

My heartbroken wails echoed through the large conference room.

I wanted so badly to ask Alexander why he was the one who made grand vows back then, and why he was also the one now sharing intimate moments and a child with another woman…

It wasn't until a knock on the door that I snapped out of my sorrow.

The person at the door had already left, leaving a new set of clothes and the black card, along with a cup of hot water.

Under the cup was a handwritten note: "Miss Hayes, don't worry, I didn't contact Mr. Harrington. I know you're afraid he'd worry."

A mix of emotions swirled within me. In the end, I tore the card into pieces and threw it into the trash.

I took the clothes into the washroom to change. A moment later, I was back to being Eleanor Hayes, the formidable heiress. Nothing could scare me.

I walked in my heels to the CEO's office, and that's where I stayed, working tirelessly all day.

Throughout the day, Alexander sent me many messages, but I didn't read or reply to any of them.

It wasn't until evening that I dragged my exhausted body back to the villa, planning to pack my bags and leave tomorrow morning.

But as I opened the door, childish laughter drifted from the living room, and Cassandra stood right before my eyes!

The woman was wearing a maid's uniform from the Harrington family estate, and not far away, a little boy was making a mess in the living room.

Seeing me enter, Cassandra stood up from beside Alexander, smiling gracefully and gently. "Madam is back. I'm the maid sent from the family estate to look after young Master Leo."

I instinctively bit my lip, even my breathing felt difficult.

How *dare* Alexander? How *dare* he bring these two into our home!

Seeing my expression change, Alexander quickly explained, "Baby, I messaged you this afternoon, you probably didn't see it. Leo is a child Mom brought back from an orphanage. She said he had a special connection to our family."

All the heartbreak had already been vented in that empty conference room. Now, only a surging anger filled my chest.

These people were treating me like an utter fool!

"Alexander, are you deliberately trying to hurt me?" My voice trembled slightly, clearly furious.

Hearing this, Alexander frowned slightly, surprised by my strong resistance.

He hastily explained, "Baby, don't be angry! You know the Harrington family needs an heir, and I saw how much you grieved for our lost child, so I agreed to Mom's request."

"If you don't like him, I'll send him away immediately!"

Everyone knew Alexander loved me deeply; my well-being was always his top priority.

Just like now, if I didn't like him, he would even send away his own biological son.

But this kind of "favoritism" filled me with an inexplicable disgust!

I was about to speak and clear the air, but the child, Leo, pursed his lips and burst into loud sobs.

"You're a bad woman! Daddy, why are you with this bad woman? Don't you want Leo anymore?"

The child's cries were piercing, giving Alexander a splitting headache. He immediately snapped, "Leo, who taught you such disrespectful things?!"

"Are you all dead?! Get young Master Leo back to his room right away!"

Several maids rushed forward, flustered, and took the wailing Leo back to his room.

Cassandra also seemed panicked, repeatedly apologizing. "Mr. Harrington, it's all my fault. Please don't blame young Master Leo."

As she spoke, she cast a lingering, tender look at Alexander, a look of grievance enough to make any man's heart ache.

Alexander sighed, his tone softening slightly. "I'm not blaming him. He's just a child; what does he know? You go take care of him."

I took all of this in, my heart growing colder.

I pulled away from Alexander and walked straight upstairs, closing the door on him who had followed.

Alexander stood outside the door, incredibly frustrated, but still patiently tried to soothe me. "Baby, it's all my fault. I'll send that child away first thing tomorrow morning."

"You don't have to let me in. Just get some good rest. We can talk about everything tomorrow."

I leaned against the door, sitting on the floor, listening to his receding footsteps. My heart was long past aching, numb and unresponsive.

What was the point of sending him away? Blood is thicker than water, and those ties can never truly be severed. Ultimately, I was the one who needed to leave!

I didn't reply, locking the door.

Alone, I slumped against the cold door, listening to his footsteps fade, no longer able to hold myself up, sliding to the floor.

I just felt so incredibly tired, physically and emotionally drained.

I don't know how long passed, but my phone chimed. I numbly slid open the screen and saw a friend request from a stranger.

It was Cassandra.

【Mrs. Harrington, if you kick Mr. Harrington out of your room, don't blame him for coming to mine.】

My pupils constricted. I got up and walked out of the bedroom, immediately spotting a faint light from the study at the end of the second floor.