Chapter 3
The merfolk clan thrived for thousands of years, leaving behind
countless treasures. Julia tried several times to get some from me, but I turned her down every time.
She held a grudge, sided with Maria, and schemed to kick me out of the Sullivan family.
I let her take the Blood Bracelet. She didn’t know–only merfolk descendants can wear it.
Anyone else would be cursed. Misfortune follows, and death comes soon after.
Maria finally came out of the delivery room. She smiled weakly at me. “Adriana, even though you didn’t help us, I promised Charlie. Once the baby turns one month old, I’ll move out. This child is yours.”
She and Charlie grew up together. Before the Sullivan family collapsed, both families planned to marry them off. But when the Sullivan family went bankrupt overnight, Maria fled abroad under the pretense of further studies, leaving Charlie without a second thought.
Later, Charlie made a comeback and became the city’s rising star. In contrast, Maria’s father made a bad business move, and the Jones family declared bankruptcy. Maria rushed back home, desperate, and clung to Charlie.
At first, Charlie wanted nothing to do with her. He despised her. He wouldn’t let her near and cursed her every time she showed up. Everyone in Los Angeles knew–no one Charlie hated more than
0.00%
Maria.
But slowly, things changed.
He still humiliated her in public and private, but after every tearful escape, he would stare after her, lost in thought.
When she cried, his eyes no longer held hate–they softened, turning to pity.
I saw everything but couldn’t stop it. One night at a party, Charlie got drunk and slept with Maria. The room reeked of lust. It was disgusting. When I confronted him, he pulled Maria into his arms, saying, “It was an accident. Maria is innocent.”
I asked for a divorce, but Charlie refused. He called it a mistake, dropped to his knees, and swore it would
Mover
happen again.
I lost my head and forgave him. But then Maria showed up, heavily pregnant, claiming she was carrying Charlie’s baby. She said she didn’t want to ruin our marriage. She just wanted to atone by giving him a child.
“Charlie, I really love you. Even if I get nothing in return, I’m willing to have your baby.”
Her sobs snapped me back to the moment. Staring at the baby in her arms, her eyes reddened, and she choked up. “But… I can’t bear to give up my baby…”
Charlie’s grip on my wrist tightened. His eyes filled with guilt. “Maria, you’re his mother. Blood ties can’t be cut…”
“But what about Adriana?”
I pretended not to hear and just stared blankly at the baby in her arms.
54.57%
After a long silence, I couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
My powers were gone, but my mermaid gift remained. Through my Heavenly Eye, I saw it clearly–this baby had zero blood ties to Charlie.
Ridiculous. Charlie thought himself so clever, yet Maria’s child wasn’t even his. But he didn’t know. After a moment of silence, he suddenly yanked me out of the room. “Adriana, you’re my wife. I can give you status, wealth–everything. Maria has nothing. She doesn’t want anything. She just wants a little love from me.
“Six years ago, to repay your kindness, I left her and married you. This time, I can’t fail her again!
“Adriana, you’ve had my love for so long. Can’t you be generous, just this once?”
My tears had long dried up. I stared at him, numb, speechless.
Maybe I looked too broken, because Charlie softened his voice, trying to soothe me. “I promise, even if Maria stays, you’ll always be my only wife. My love belongs to you.”
He hugged me from behind, resting his head on my shoulder, saying, “I love you, Adriana.”
With my back to him, I closed my eyes in exhaustion. It was useless. My life was fading. The curse was near. Nothing I said would change anything now.
