Not long after Logan left, my adoptive father called.
“So, you’re refusing to raise Leah’s child?”
So that was it. Logan had gone running to them, playing the victim. Turns out, they were all in on it, conspiring together to deceive me like I was nothing.
But I had already been kicked out by the Ellis family three years ago. What right did they have to meddle in my life now?
“This is my business,” I replied coldly. “It has nothing to do with you.”
My adoptive father’s voice exploded through the phone. “You ungrateful wretch! How dare you speak to me like that!”
Then my adoptive mother took over, her tone softer but her words just as cruel.
“Leah’s not married. She can’t raise the child on her own. And since you can’t have children anyway, raising it would be a blessing for you both.”
“I don’t have a sister,” I said flatly. “And whether I can have children or not, it’s none of your concern.”
“Don’t be ungrateful!” my adoptive father roared. “If Leah wasn’t unwilling to get rid of the baby, do you really think this kind of ‘opportunity’ would fall to you? Don’t forget, you owe her!”
I never understood what exactly did I owe her? Did I have to keep losing everything just to settle a debt I never agreed to?
My adoptive father kept yelling on the other end, but I ended the call and blocked their numbers without hesitation.
In a week, I would be gone. And with that, they'd be out of my life for good.
The next day, I stepped out briefly. When I returned, the house had completely changed.
Every wall used to be adorned with Logan’s paintings, each one crafted with me quietly by his side, watching his brush glide across the canvas, stroke by stroke.
Now, the walls were bare. Empty. Lifeless. My memories vanished.
A maid walked past and muttered, “Sir brought Miss Leah home. She said the paintings made her uncomfortable and might not be good for the baby. So Sir ordered them all moved to the basement.”
I didn’t stop to ask anything more. I ran.
Down in the basement, I found what remained of my love, ripped apart, shredded beyond repair. My hands trembled as I sifted through the pieces, one painting after another. Torn slashed and destroyed.
And then I realized that one was missing.
I rushed back upstairs and ran right into Leah on the staircase.
Seeing me, she curled her lips into a mocking smile. “Sister, looking for this?”
It was a painting I had done of Logan resting in the sunlight, peacefully sketching beside me.
It used to be the image I cherished most.
“Give it back to me.”
Leah tilted her head. “You really do paint well, sister. In the future, make a few more for my baby!”
The moment she mentioned the baby, a stabbing pain shot through my chest. “I will not raise your child.”
Her smile twisted into something cruel. “You’re just a barren hen clinging to Logan, and you're still not satisfied! If I hadn’t come back, you wouldn't have even had the chance to marry him. Now we ask you to raise my child, and you dare act ungrateful?”
I let out a cold laugh. “Oh, so you do know what shame is? Living under the same roof as me and my husband, pregnant with another man’s child, is that your idea of dignity?”
She didn’t flinch. Instead, she smugly patted her belly. “How do you know the baby isn’t Logan’s?”
Her smug attitude made my stomach turn. I didn’t want to argue anymore. I simply stretched out my hand.
“Give the painting back.”
To my surprise, Leah actually handed it over.
But the very next second, she let out a shrill scream and suddenly tumbled backward.
“Leah!” Logan appeared out of nowhere, catching her in his arms.
Before I could even make sense of what had happened, he turned and kicked me hard.
“Cecilia! How could you be so cruel? You knew she was pregnant and still pushed her?”
I hit the floor with a sharp thud. The pain made it nearly impossible to breathe, let alone speak.
“I didn’t…”
“Don’t blame her,” Leah cut in sweetly, pulling out a crumpled piece of paper. “It’s my fault. She must be upset because I’m pregnant. Maybe she just lost control.”
Logan took the paper, glanced at it, and his fury reignited. He shredded it on the spot and flung the pieces in my face.
“You’re still faking a pregnancy to trick me? I’m warning you. You apologize to Leah right now!”
I stared at the man I once loved, stunned. My mind felt numb as I dropped to my knees, fumbling through the torn scraps, grabbing hold of a corner like it could somehow make this all make sense.
Tears streamed down my cheeks, and the pain made my voice tremble.
“Look closely; the date on the report is yesterday. I didn’t even know about your plan back then!”
Logan sneered, his voice cold. “You’ve really committed to this act, and you even remembered to backdate the report. Do you think that’ll actually make me believe you?”
“You disgust me even more.”
Leah gently stroked his chest and whispered, “Don’t be mad, Logan. I’m not feeling well. Can you carry me upstairs to rest?”
I tried to move, but a sharp pain shot through my foot.
“Logan, my foot, it’s hurt.”
I reached out to grab his sleeve, only to be shoved away.
He lifted Leah into his arms, looking down at me with scorn.
“Stop pretending. You’re not even pregnant, so why act so pathetic?”
