On the day I was discharged, Garren didn’t come to pick me up. Maybe he forgot. Or maybe he had completely grown tired of me.
I packed my things and politely said goodbye to the doctor. He looked at me, as if wanting to say something, but finally just told me to rest well.
Back at home, I glimpsed through the window and saw the inside brightly lit, filled with the clinking of glasses and a noisy crowd. The entire villa had been transformed into a grand party hall.
Curious, I walked inside. My simple clothes felt completely out of place.
Gentle, flowing music played in the background. Men and women held glasses of wine, chatting in small groups, their laughter filling the air as they moved freely through the crowd.
The moment they saw me, whispers began spreading among them.
“This is a birthday party that Mr. Thayer specially threw for Miss Burken. Looks like he didn’t even invite her.”
“Her child was attacked… I don’t think Mrs. Thayer will hold her position for much longer.”
“Look at her exhausted state. She does look somewhat pitiful.”
Each word felt like a sharp hook, slowly digging into my heart, drawing blood with every syllable.
Suddenly, a sound from the second floor drew everyone’s attention.
Garren stood at the highest point, carefully draping a wool blanket over Fenella and gently holding her hand. “I hereby announce that the child in Fenella’s womb will be the future heir of the Thayer Group!”
The moment he spoke, waves of astonished gasps echoed from below.
I stared blankly at Garren. My fingers clenched tightly on the hem of my clothes, nails digging into my skin, yet I felt no pain at all.
He had once told me that everything he owned belonged to me, including himself. Now, in front of everyone, he acted as if none of it ever did.
He had given all his wealth to a woman who had been with him for less than a year.
The guests exchanged glances and began whispering.
“On the surface, this is a birthday party, but actually… Mr. Thayer is using this opportunity to announce the child’s status.”
“He really loves Fenella. She easily got the things Linnea never got after being with him for so long.”
Hearing this, Fenella grew even more smug.
She deliberately blocked my way, exaggeratingly rubbing her pregnant belly as if to show off.
“Wait a minute. On such a special day, aren’t you going to toast me, Miss Wirm?”
“No need,” I said coldly and turned to leave.
But Fenella remained blocking my way, as if she wouldn't let me leave until I drank.
I took a deep breath and nodded firmly. “Fine.”
She finally curled her lips in a smug smile. “That’s more like it. Please hand me the glass of red wine behind you.”
After drinking the wine, I was about to leave. Suddenly, a sharp scream came from behind me.
I turned around and saw Fenella bending over, clutching her belly and crying out, “Ah… it hurts so much!”
Garren immediately dropped his wine glass, his face full of worry as he supported her.
“Everyone just saw that this glass of wine was given to me by Miss Wirm!”
She looked at me with a pitiful expression, as if I had done something utterly cruel.
Garren’s eyes darkened and his clear voice trembled with suppressed anger. “Linnea, if anything happens to the child, I will make you regret it for the rest of your life!”
“I didn’t…” I tried to explain, but was cut off.
“It hurts…” Fenella clutched her belly, her face contorted in pain. “Garren… my stomach hurts so much…”
Garren glanced at me, his voice filled with both disappointment and anger. “You’ve become cruel and deceitful, lying without end. How did you turn into someone like this?”
I opened my mouth, but instantly lost all desire to explain.
So, in his eyes, that’s what I had become. If that’s the case, what meaning did my explanation even have?
The guests around us continued whispering, casting malicious glances my way.
I clenched my fists tightly, feeling the fury in my chest rise uncontrollably.
Suddenly….
