I swallowed the bitterness lodged in my throat, forcing out a single word through clenched teeth. "Okay."
Under the harsh, scrutinizing eyes of everyone on set, I loosened my skirt.
It slipped to the floor. The once-pristine skin I used to be proud of was now marred by angry red scars and cigarette burns.
The studio was warm, but I felt cold all over. My body trembled, my heart numb with pain.
I used to think physical torment was the worst. I had not expected this kind of humiliation to be worse and painful.
I caught a glimpse of Luther's complicated expression, but I did not look up. I simply put on my clothes in silence, wiped away my tears and walked out of the studio.
That night, I finished my part-time job and went home.
At that moment, the lights at the Hawthorne Family estate were all on and I had a bad feeling about this.
As soon as I stepped inside, I saw Luther holding Anna. Her face was flushed red. I panicked that my voice trembled, "Is Anna having a fever again?"
Luther sneered, "Since you gave birth to her, take proper responsibility. The doctor just came. Her heart condition caused the fever. She's had her medicine."
I looked at my daughter's thin, fragile body. My heart ached as I reached out to hold her.
However, Anna turned away and clung tightly to Luther instead. Feverish and half-conscious, she murmured, "Daddy, don't leave me and Mommy…"
"Daddy, Anna loves you."
The expressions of everyone in the room changed instantly upon witnessing this, especially Juliette, whose cold gaze pierced right through me.
Luther's face, which had been stiff and distant, softened at the sound of the child's tender voice. A faint smile touched his lips as he carried Anna in his arms and personally took her to the children's room.
I stood there in shock.
I had thought he would flare up with rage, haunted by memories of the past. I had not expected the bond of blood to be this strong.
Off to the side, Wilma whispered in surprise, "You know… the daughter Miss Jenna brought back looks exactly like Mr. Luther."
Luther's steps faltered. Something flashed across his face and he turned slightly as if to say something.
But Juliette cut in coldly, "Wilma, stop with the nonsense. The timing of her birth doesn't match."
Startled, Wilma quickly covered her mouth and said with a forced laugh, "Yes, yes. Look at me, speaking without thinking."
I ignored their voices completely. Quietly, I walked into the children's room to care for my daughter.
Holding her small, burning body in my arms, I made a silent vow. I had to speed up the heart transplant as her health was getting worse by the day.
I stayed up with her all night and only when her fever broke in the early morning did I finally breathe a little easier.
But when I stepped out of the room, I saw Luther slumped alone at the wine table, surrounded by empty bottles of strong liquor.
Sensing footsteps behind, he looked up at me. "Jenna, I want to drink the hangover soup you used to make."
The warmth in his tone made me freeze for a moment.
It felt like a flashback to the sweeter days we once had.
But everything had changed.
Still, I made the soup for Luther and brought it to him.
Luther suddenly looked up and gripped my hand tightly. His voice was rough, almost pleading.
"Jenna… was there something you didn't tell me about that drug you gave me back then?"
"Just say the word. Tell me and I'll believe you."
I looked at him silently.
What was the point of saying anything now?
He was going to marry the woman he loved and live a happy life.
Meanwhile, I was just a dying woman branded with the sin of incest. I was nothing but a stain in his perfect world.
I gently pulled my hand away and checked my watch. It was almost time for my part-time shift. Without another word, I turned and went to my room to gather my things. When I opened the door to leave, he was already standing there, staring with bloodshot eyes.
He was completely sober now. His gaze pierced through me, sharp and searching.
"I've asked my assistant to send mine and Anna's hair for testing. We'll know soon enough if she's mine."
