Sean’s POV
I spent an entire year searching for Lea.
To the edge of the city. To hospitals. Even to the small places she used to visit. But all of it led to nothing. Not a single trace was found.
What I got instead… was a divorce letter.
Neatly folded, placed on my desk, as if she knew–I would read it at my weakest moment, alone and too powerless to fight back.>>
That night, I just sat still, staring at the opened envelope with Lea’s name written in the lower right corner.
Her handwriting… was the same. Firm, orderly. But the ink in some parts looked blurred, as if it had been touched by tears.}
“I pray for your happiness and your little family. I hope this will be the end of my feelings for you.”
<-8
“Please, son… don’t think about that woman anymore,” my mother said one morning. “You have a child now. Focus on your own flesh and blood.”
Flesh and blood?!
I could only force a bitter smile.
Rebecca had given birth to a baby boy. We named him Noel Armstrong.
But strangely… I never truly felt like a father. Every night, I touched Noel’s cheek, hoping for warmth. But all I felt was emptiness. Like air drifting with no direction.§
A few months ago, I heard a rumor–a rumor I found hard to believe. They said Lea… had once been pregnant. But at the time, I had no proof to believe it.
Until this morning.
By accident, I found a pregnancy test in her old wardrobe drawer. It was aged, but the lines were still clear. As if time had stopped, making everything real.”
Right then, I went to see the doctor who had once treated Lea. I needed answers. I needed the truth.
“Mr. Sean…” the doctor spoke in a low tone, as if holding back disappointment. “Mrs. Lea had long hoped for that pregnancy. But when she finally got pregnant… it was you who caused her miscarriage.“}
“That was her fault,” I said coldly. “She took too long to conceive. My mother and I were out of patience. We needed an heir.“}
The doctor stared at me for a long time, anger flashing in his eyes.
Then he delivered the sentence that shattered all the defenses I had built over the years.
“There was nothing wrong with Mrs. Lea. The one who is infertile… is you, Mr. Sean.”
I siammed my hand on the table.
“Outrageous!“}
He stepped back, but still handed me the medical documents.>
I flipped through the pages with trembling hands.
Weak sperm. Almost zero chance of having a child.
Turns out, Lea knew. And she… never told me. She had been secretly seeking treatment from a traditional healer. And she had received a herbal remedy prescription.
Now I remembered everything.
How she used to sweet–talk me into drinking the herbal brew she made every morning. At first, I hated it, but gradually I got hooked. She was patient. Meticulous. And she did it for years.”
“Without that remedy… your fertility returns to passive,” the doctor explained.
Then he looked me straight in the eyes–with a question that froze my blood.
“And… are you certain that the child Mrs. Rebecca gave birth to is truly yours?”
“What do you mean?”
“The doctor who assisted Mrs. Rebecca’s delivery noted that the baby’s blood type doesn’t match–neither yours nor hers.”}
I turned to Arlo, who had been accompanying me all this time.}
“DNA test. Immediately,” I hissed.}
“Yes, sir.”
And if it turns out… Noel isn’t my flesh and blood?!
Then that woman will be kicked out of my life. For good.
That night, I returned home with a weary body and a splitting headache.
Rebecca was already waiting on the sofa, wearing a burgundy satin nightgown, holding a bunch of vacation brochures.
She stood up and smiled sweetly–a smile that now felt far too fake in my eyes.
“I’m bored, Sean,” she said, handing me the brochures. “I want a quick holiday with my friends to Italy. Just for a short while.”
I took the brochures without expression. My eyes scanned the luxury resort pictures, then shifted to her face.§.
“Without me and Noel?” I asked calmly.
Rebecca shrugged her petite shoulders. She walked casually to the table, poured herself some wine into a crystal glass. “Noel’s too young to travel overseas. Besides, we have a babysitter here. And your mom’s around to watch him too.”
She sipped the wine slowly. Then sat on the edge of the table, looking at me as if everything she said made perfect sense.”
“You’re probably busy with your company anyway, right? All of this is your ex–wife’s fault. Lots of investors have pulled out,” she continued nonchalantly.N
fell silent. Staring at her for a long time. Then gently placed the brochures back on the table.
A heat started to rise in my chest. I tried hard to suppress my anger.
I looked at the check in her hand. The amount made me frown.
Ten billion. Just for a vacation?
“Rebecca,” my voice was flat but sharp, “you know the company isn’t doing well. And yet you ask for this much?”
She chuckled coldly. No remorse on her face–just arrogance wrapped in sweetness.”
“I carried your child for nine months, Sean. I almost died on the operating table,” she said, crossing her arms.
“And I’m still not your legal wife. Ten billion is nothing! It doesn’t even come close to what I’ve sacrificed for your family!”
clenched the check tightly. The paper nearly tore in my grip.
After Noel was born, she demanded everything: a house, a villa, shares in the company, even large sums of cash. But none of it… was enough for her.S
Ironically, she didn’t even want to care for Noel herself. He had been with a babysitter since the day he was born.
“Lea… was never like this.”
For a moment, Rebecca’s expression hardened. Then her body stiffened.§
“Don’t compare me to that woman!” she shouted. “We’re on different levels, Sean!”
Footsteps echoed from upstairs. Mother was coming down carefully, holding a sleeping Noel in her arms.
“Sean, just grant Rebecca’s request… She’s the mother of your son.”
I turned. My breath was heavy.
“Mom, please go back to your room. I’m speaking with Rebecca.”
“But Sean-“0
“Please,” I cut in gently, but firmly.
Rebecca suddenly stood up. Her movements were swift. Her eyes blazed with fire.
“If you won’t give me what I want, I’ll take Noel and leave this house!” she exploded. “And none of you… will ever see him again!“} My eyes widened. Before I could react, she was already climbing the stairs. Snatching Noel from my mother’s arms.§
Mother screamed, trying to stop her. But Rebecca was quicker.}
“Rebecca! Don’t take my grandson!” Mother cried, her voice shaking.
Rebecca looked down at her briefly. Her face was blank. Her voice was cold.
“I have no other choice.”
1
She walked briskly down again, Noel still asleep in her arms. Her steps headed straight for the front door. No hesitation whatsoever.” “Stop!” I shouted, deep and loud.
She froze. Her back still facing me.
My fists clenched. My breath heavy. Fury and pain twisted inside my chest.
“Put the child down, Rebecca. Now!”
