The launch event was grand and bustling, with Crestville’s elite gathered.
Entering the manor, I was stunned to see Victoria Cross present as well.
She wore a moon-white evening gown, elegant and poised, radiating gentle maternal warmth.
Nathan stood beside her, his arm at her waist, greeting guests, while Victoria smiled softly and sweetly.
My mother-in-law held her grandson, chatting with several wealthy ladies. Everyone praised the boy’s broad forehead, saying he was destined for wealth and honor.
The moment I stepped into the hall, the chatter abruptly quieted, and all eyes turned to me.
Nathan released Victoria and walked toward me with composure.
“Catherine, come see the child, he’s really adorable.” Saying this, he took my hand, led me to my mother-in-law, and placed the child into my arms.
Looking at the plump, fair baby, a wave of sorrow swept through me. My fingertips brushed his soft cheek. If only he were mine!
I could have had him, too.
Many eyes fell on us—some pitying, some mocking, some detached…
Victoria hurried toward us through the crowd, her hands shaking with panic.
“Sister, Nolan, let me hold him.”
I froze, staring at her in disbelief.
“You said his name is Nolan?”
“Nolan Turner. Nathan said it means two hearts linked.”
“Wah!” A sharp cry pierced the air.
My fingers slackened instantly, my whole body sinking into cold darkness like falling into an abyss.
He actually gave our child’s name to someone else? Did he intend to link hearts with another woman? Nolan—that was the name he gave me on my eighteenth birthday, the day I offered myself to him. He hugged me in excitement and said that if we ever had a child, we’d name him Nolan, meaning our hearts would forever be joined.
Before I could gasp in anger, a crisp slap cracked through the hall. I snapped back to see the baby lying on the floor, blood trickling from his forehead. Nathan was holding him, glaring at me with fury.
Beside him, Victoria wept in anguish.
“Sister, even if you dislike my child, you can’t throw him in public! He’s Nathan’s child, too! How could you be so cruel?” She tried desperately to take the baby back.
“Nathan, let me go! I love you, I’m willing to stay hidden, but I can’t let my child’s life be toyed with.”
“How could you do this, sister? Just because I’m powerless, does that give her the right to throw Nathan to his death in public?”
Her sobs drove Nathan into a panic. He rushed to embrace her and the crying child.
“Victoria, look at me. Nolan is our precious son. I won’t let anyone hurt him. I love you, I love our child, and I’ll protect you with my life.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll get justice for you. I’ll make her kneel and apologize. I will promise you anything you want.”
Nathan’s words stabbed through my heart. He wanted me to kneel to a mistress and give her a promise.
What about my promise? Was it worthless? The boy’s bright eyes flashed in my mind again and again.
“Catherine, I love you. I’ll protect you for life. Anyone who dares bully you, I’ll fight them to the end.” Nathan grabbed my collar, swayed, and shoved me toward Victoria.
“Kneel and kowtow to Victoria and Nathan to apologize.”
“Swear on your late mother-in-law’s name that if you ever dare feel jealous again or scheme against Victoria and her child, may she suffer frying oil and burning fire in the afterlife, never finding peace.”
I stared at Nathan, stunned. Before my mother passed, she treated him as her own son. He used to kneel at her grave, calling her “Mom” over and over. Now, for a mistress, he cursed her so viciously.
