Married to Betrayal, Bound for Vengeance

Chapter 1

My wedding had turned into my mother’s funeral.

That day, in front of hundreds of guests, Archer Monroe snatched the ring from my hand and slipped it onto Cassidy Trent’s finger instead.

“Elise, this wedding matters. Don’t make a fuss. I’ll make it up to you later.”

My mother, beyond fury, collapsed and died right before our eyes.

But Archer never even spared her a glance. Instead, he lowered his head and kissed Cassidy on the lips, no shame in his actions.

Heartbroken and enraged, I arranged my mother’s cremation myself. I could no longer share a roof with that man.

That night, I returned home in the pouring rain, holding my mother’s ashes in my arms, soaked, trembling, but determined. When I opened the door, a lacy piece of lingerie flew through the air and landed directly on the urn I was holding.

Archer looked up, annoyed. As if I had disturbed the blissful wedding night he was spending with Cassidy.

Even my sevenyearold son glanced at me coldly, his words sharp as knives.

“Cassidy is my real mom. You’re just some pathetic woman who should leave the Monroe family.”

Facing the two people I had once called family, I wiped away my tears with frozen fingers, forcing my voice to remain steady.

I called my halfbrother.

“Brother, sever every last tie with the Monroe family.”

1

Cradling the ashes, I had pushed open the door and found clothes scattered messily across the floor.

Since Cassidy had become Archer's "assistant," they often worked late into the night together in the study.

The first time I voiced my discomfort, Archer shot me a cold, cutting glare.

"If I don’t break my back earning money for you, do you think you'd be living this comfortably? Stop being jealous. Cassidy and I are all business!"

But after too many fights, he packed a bag and vanished into a hotel room, returning only when I swallowed my pride and begged him to come home.

I never imagined that all my bending, all my begging, would cost me my mother’s life.

Brushing away the tears, I sneered and flung the door wider, only to be welcomed by Cassidy’s pink lingerie, shamelessly draped on top of my mother’s urn.

On the sofa, their bodies were knotted together like lovers. Cassidy’s serpentlike waist arched with every breath, her tongue tracing wet trails across Archer’s chest.

Archer looked up, eyes narrowing when he saw me. He snatched a coat from the floor and threw it over Cassidy’s bare body, as if modesty mattered now.

Then he strolled toward me, picked up the lingerie with maddening calm, and tossed it aside like it was nothing.

“Cassidy is the longlost heiress of France’s Barrett family. I’m fakemarrying her to boost the Monroe business. Right now, we’re just putting on a show for those who are watching.”

“As my actual wife, you should understand, right?”

“I don’t understand! Archer, my mother is dead!”

My voice cracked under the weight of grief, the sob slipping out before I could hold it in.

But my sorrow didn’t stir even a flicker of guilt in Archer’s eyes. Instead, he glanced at the urn, frowning in irritation.

“Hmm, dying on my wedding day, what bad luck.”

My rage surged so hard I nearly collapsed. “You bastard!”

He growled, clearly annoyed.

“It’s not like I killed her. She wouldn’t have lived much longer anyway. Why are you being so dramatic?”

I clenched my fists and shook my head, trembling.

Today was supposed to be the wedding I had waited years for. And worse, I had just learned I was pregnant.

Archer’s sperm had always been weak. After eight years, we had only one child, Dorian.

I had wanted to share this moment with him. But now, I looked him in the eye and said coldly, “Let’s divorce, Archer. After all, the bride you married today wasn’t me.”

I only wanted to take my son and leave this suffocating place behind.

Archer stared at me in disbelief, as if I’d just shattered his world.

“I won’t allow it. In this lifetime, you’re not going anywhere!”

When I stayed silent, his chest rose sharply. He stormed over and gripped my arm tight.

“I told you, Cassidy and I are just business partners. Don’t you understand simple words?!”

Partners?

Last night, I had vomited until my vision blurred, and the moment his phone rang, he left, just to be with Cassidy.

Even when I collapsed beside the toilet, he stepped over me like I wasn’t even there.

“I’ve already called the family doctor for you.”

Then, just outside the door, I heard his low voice telling the butler,

“Have the whole house disinfected. Cassidy might come by tomorrow. She can’t stand this kind of disgusting smell.”

Less than thirty minutes after his car disappeared from view, I saw Cassidy’s tweet.

“The moment I said I was having a panic attack, my boyfriend rushed over to comfort me. To all the unloved people, do yourselves a favor and stay away.”

Attached was a selfie in a hotel pool.

Cassidy clung to a tall man’s neck with fiery passion. I couldn’t see his face, but I recognized him as my husband.

My phone slipped from my hand. The doctor arrived shortly after and, upon examining me, said I was pregnant.

Back then, I naively believed this child might bring him back to me.

But I gained nothing.

And I lost my mother.

That cruel nightmare shattered whatever love I still had left for Archer.

“Let go of me!”

I struggled in fury.

Cassidy, now wearing Archer’s oversized shirt, strolled over with interest in her eyes.

“So this is an urn? It’s my first time seeing one.”

Then she draped herself around Archer’s waist and purred, “I heard ashes are rich in calcium. My Sunshine’s been calcium deficient lately, and I’m just not sure about the safety of supplements...”

Sunshine, her pampered little beagle.

“Cassidy, that’s my mother’s ashes! I will never let your dog desecrate her!”

Cassidy blinked at me innocently. Archer’s eyes turned cold as he spoke sharply, “Your mother was Catholic. I think she would’ve gladly offered all of herself.”

My eyes widened in disbelief.

“What did you just say?!”

Chapter 2

My head buzzed violently. Did my mother, in his eyes, not even measure up to Cassidy’s dog?

Without warning, Cassidy reached for the urn in my arms.

“She’s already dead. Instead of letting it go to waste, why not use it to nourish Sunshine?”

Instinctively, I dodged. My elbow accidentally grazed her cheek.

Cassidy shrieked and collapsed into Archer’s arms, clutching her face as if I had struck her with force. “It hurts!”

A blaze of fury flared in Archer’s eyes.

He caressed Cassidy’s cheek gently, then glared at me, teeth clenched. “You’re a vicious woman, just like your mother!”

Vicious?

That oncehandsome face now looked twisted and ugly, making my stomach churn.

“Archer, if my mother hadn’t thrown herself off that cliff to save you from those thugs when you were kidnapped, you would’ve been dead long ago!”

“She spent the rest of her life paralyzed because of that fall, and now you and this woman pushed her to her death!”

I pointed at Cassidy, clinging to him like a leech, as scalding tears hit the floor.

My stomach twisted. The baby kicked so hard I nearly collapsed from the pain.

A flicker of hesitation flashed in Archer’s eyes.

“Elise…”

Cassidy suddenly turned on me, eyes blazing.

“That old woman was just a lowly maid! She gave up her legs so you two could eat well, live comfortably under this roof, and even let you marry Archer and enjoy a life of luxury.”

“You should be grateful! But instead, you twist Archer’s emotions, what a scheming woman you are!”

Archer’s face darkened instantly, as if he could tear me apart with just a look.

“Do you want me to rip my heart out to prove it to you? I already gave you the title of Mrs. Monroe, why can't you just be satisfied?!”

Just one sentence from Cassidy, and he already believed my mother and me were nothing more than manipulators.

The nearby servants started whispering behind their hands, casting strange looks my way. Even I found it laughable.

He truly believed I was clinging to status, but did he ever realize that in these past few years, as his family crumbled, I was the one bringing in billions in business?

My defiance only enraged Archer further. He waved his hand coldly at the bodyguards.

“Throw her into the basement. She can come out once she’s learned her place.”

His tall figure vanished from sight. I curled up in the shadows, clutching my mother’s urn, every breath tearing through my chest like glass.

I was locked away for two full days and nights. Not a single servant offered me so much as a sip of water.

Then, a faint sliver of light crept through the door.

I looked up and saw little Dorian stepping down the stairs, holding a piece of bread in his small hand.

My sweet baby.

I staggered to my feet, my cracked lips barely lifting into a smile as I reached for him, but he flinched, dodging my embrace.

His eyes drifted from my dirty hands to the urn I held. “Give it to me.”

“What?” My smile froze midair.

“Give me the urn, and I’ll give you the bread. If not, you can starve here.”

I stared at his small, indifferent face, so eerily similar to his father’s, and my heart turned to ice.

“How can you say that? I’m your mother. That urn holds your grandmother’s ashes.”

But Dorian’s face remained blank, as if carved from stone.

“Only someone noble like Cassidy deserves to be my mother. You, the daughter of a maid, don’t belong in this family.”

I couldn’t believe such words had come from a sevenyearold.

“Dorian, who taught you that?”

The pain in my chest was so sharp, it felt like it would rip me apart. Starving and enraged, my vision blurred into darkness.

Before I could get any words out, the urn was wrenched from my arms.

“No—”

I clung to it with all the strength I had left, unwilling to let go.

“Don’t take my mother away, Dorian!”

“Cassidy’s dog is dying. She’s cried for two days. I don’t want her to be sad.”

So, you’re not worried about my pain? Is that it?

Ignoring my desperate pleas, my son pried my fingers open and snatched the urn from my grasp.

His little shoes, polished and perfect, crushed the bread he’d discarded as he turned away.

It felt as though a part of my heart had been torn out.

Fine. If you want to scatter your grandmother’s ashes to the wind. Then, I no longer wanted you as my son.

Chapter 3

When I opened my eyes again, I found myself lying in a familiar bed, far calmer than Archer had expected.

He sat at the edge of the bed, his long fingers brushing the strands of hair from my forehead, his voice softer than usual.

“I didn’t expect you to be pregnant. Since that’s the case, let’s forget about what happened that day. From now on, be good and don’t throw tantrums.”

Should I thank you for being so considerate and generous?

He lifted me gently and cradled me in his arms, feeding me a spoonful of soup. “Tomatoes from Provence and topgrade beef. You haven’t eaten in days, the baby must be starving.”

I couldn’t swallow it. I turned my face away from the spoon and yanked the IV from my hand.

“Where’s my mother?”

Archer paused, his brow furrowing slightly. “Dorian’s still just a kid. He didn’t mean to steal your mother’s ashes.”

The world around me spun.

“So you really fed her to a dog?!”

“Archer, ashes mixed with dog food are so nutritious. Sunshine’s been in such good spirits today.”

At that moment, Cassidy walked in, holding the beagle and giggling.

“Elise, we really must thank your mother.”

Seeing her smug face, the last shred of my sanity snapped.

I clenched my fists and lunged at Cassidy. “Cassidy, I’ll make you die with her!”

Just as my fist was about to strike, I saw the snakelike smile curling at the corner of her lips.

She seized my hand and violently threw herself back, crashing into her own shoulder. Then, she screamed, stumbling backward and hurling the beagle out the window.

“Ah, Sunshine!”

The dog's shriek abruptly cut off, and Cassidy collapsed to the ground in anguish.

Archer rushed to her, arms wrapping around her waist, staring at me in disbelief. “What did you do? Cassidy did nothing wrong. Why are you so cruel, so venomous?!”

I shook my head in stunned silence. “I didn’t, it wasn’t me…”

He didn’t hear a word. Cradling the sobbing Cassidy, he murmured, “I’m sorry, baby, don’t cry. I’ll make sure she’s punished for this.”

He shoved past me, rushing out with her in his arms.

I dropped to my knees, my stomach churning as I vomited onto the floor.

Two maids entered, rolling their eyes at me.

“You better learn your place. Miss Trent’s birthday is in two days. Sir’s busy planning a grand party for her. No matter how much you pretend, he won’t look at you again.”

A mop smacked hard against my knee.

“Look at this disgusting mess. You’re pathetic.”

After they left, I wandered barefoot, lost in thought, stepping aimlessly into the garden. Archer and his assistant were talking by the pond.

I instinctively hid behind a tangle of vines, my heart pounding as their conversation drifted toward me.

“Tomorrow is Elise’s birthday. Since you gave Cassidy that yacht worth over a hundred million, shouldn’t you get something nice for her, too?”

Thinking of Cassidy, Archer’s voice softened like a warm spring breeze.

“Remember to cover the entire yacht with 9,999 diamond roses. Cassidy loves those.”

Then his tone turned icy.

“As for Elise, just pick something random.”

The assistant hesitated, concerned. “You don’t even remember her birthday? Aren’t you worried she’ll leave you?”

Archer snorted.

“She’s like a dog I can summon whenever I please. Why would she leave? Besides, she killed Cassidy’s dog; she’s the one who’s wrong and should be begging for forgiveness.”

My hands trembled as I clutched the front of my shirt.

It finally hit me. In his eyes, I wasn’t a lover, I wasn’t even human.

He’d forgotten my birthday. My gift could be something the assistant picked without a second thought.

But for Cassidy, he’d move mountains to make her happy.

I took a deep breath and dialed Nolan Barrett, my brother.

"Brother, end all ties between the Barretts and the Monroes. I’m ready to leave him."

Nolan's voice cracked when he answered.

"You should’ve left him and come back to France long ago. Anyone can see, he’s never loved you."

I forced a bitter smile. "Yeah. I was blind."

Just as I hung up, my eyes met Archer’s as he turned around.

He walked over, hands shoved in his pockets, his gaze sharp and suspicious.

"Who were you talking to on the phone?"

Chapter 4

I calmly looked away. “A divorce lawyer.”

His brows furrowed, but then a thought seemed to hit him. He grabbed my chin and leaned in, his voice dripping with a lazy smirk near my ear.

“Elise, you’ve been by my side for nearly thirty years. Where could you possibly go after leaving me?”

“I may have neglected you a little lately. You got jealous, and I get it. Tomorrow, I’ll accompany you to bury your mother.”

His tone was so gracious it almost made me laugh.

“But you fed her ashes to a dog. Did you forget?”

His fingers slid to the back of my neck, caressing lightly. “We’ll put up a gravestone for your memories. Consider it my birthday gift to you.”

His warm breath froze me in place.

“Spare me your fake kindness, Archer.”

“I don’t need it. I hope you, your son, and Cassidy live a long and happy life together.”

My sarcasm seemed to hit a nerve. He grabbed my hand and kissed me forcefully.

Then Cassidy’s wailing cut through the air.

“Elise, killing my Sunshine wasn’t enough? Do you want me to bury your mother with her, too? Will that satisfy you?”

Archer turned, his gaze landing on Cassidy, who was cradling her dead beagle, tears streaking down her face.

On reflex, he shoved me away, pulling Cassidy into his arms.

I gritted my teeth. "Cassidy, you threw the dog out the window yourself!"

"Enough!" Archer roared, already certain that I was the one at fault.

"Kneel and apologize to Cassidy!"

I stepped back, disbelief spreading across my face. "Never! I want a divorce, you bastard!"

His eyes flared with rage, igniting like wildfire. "Divorce? Then watch me screw someone else right in front of you!"

Ignoring my resistance, he tied my hands with vines and pinned Cassidy against the tree.

His hands reached under her skirt, tearing off her lace panties, then he undid his belt, ramming into her with force.

Bastard.

I squeezed my eyes shut, but Cassidy’s moans still sliced through the air. The obscene, sticky sounds reached my ears as I screamed and struggled.

"No, no! Archer, I hate you!"

His thrusts grew more brutal, Cassidy’s gasps growing louder.

"Archer, take it easy. Didn’t Elise satisfy you?" Cassidy’s smug gaze met mine, her eyes gleaming with triumph.

I hung there helplessly, whispering, "Let me go… please..."

Archer’s bloodshot eyes locked on me, filled with rage. "What are you? Without my favor, you’re nothing, a servant’s daughter, a bitch who licks my boots!"

"You wanted status and money, didn’t you? Don’t forget, you drugged me eight years ago to seduce me!"

Eight years ago, at a party, I found Archer drugged by someone at the pool.

I tried to get him to a doctor, but as soon as I dragged him inside, he pushed me against the wall. His hot breath closed in, and I looked at the boy I’d loved for so long and didn’t resist.

I never imagined that one night would lead to Dorian. Under his grandfather’s pressure, Archer had no choice but to marry me.

His hateful voice echoed in my ears.

"You thought having my child would elevate you? That I’d treat you well? What right do you have to leave me now?!"

But I stood my ground.

"Archer, I don’t love you anymore."

His eyes turned bloodshot. "You don’t get to decide that. The one I love now is Cassidy."

His movements grew even more savage, making Cassidy cry out for him to stop.

I don’t know how long it went on, but finally, Archer finished.

He didn’t look satisfied, only dark and brooding, glaring at me.

"Divorce? Dream on."

He untied me and carried Cassidy away, her unconscious form in his arms.

I collapsed in despair.

From the tree, a small figure slid down.

"You lowlife, you drugged my dad to seduce him!"

I looked up at Dorian’s flushed, furious face, stunned.

"Yes, if I hadn’t seduced him, how would you even exist?"

Dorian stomped his feet and shouted, "I want Daddy with Cassidy! She’s nothing like you, a golddigger! She buys me toys and candy!"

He pointed a toy gun at me.

"I don’t want a cripple for a mom who doesn’t love me! I don’t want my classmates to laugh at me!"

The rubber bullet hit my forehead, but it was my heart that bled.

Dorian had always been frail. For him, I had given up the chance to run the family business with Nolan.

I had taken care of him day and night, even traveled to Spain to pray, crawling up a church on my knees until my forehead bled, just to wish for his health and safety.

Now, every rainy day, my knees ached unbearably, and I limped as I walked.

I had hoped he’d grow up humble and kind, not a spoiled heir. So, I had been strict with him.

But blood ties meant nothing compared to a few sweet words from another woman and some toys.

Even my ruined knees became a source of shame to him.

Fine. If you want to burn your grandmother’s ashes, then I won’t want you as my son anymore.

As Dorian watched, I turned toward the front gate, only to be stopped by the strict, towering security.

Chapter 5

"Without Mr. Monroe’s permission, you cannot leave."

The place where I had lived, which I thought was a happy life for seven or eight years, had finally turned into my prison.

The bodyguards even escorted me back to the dining table, their expressions full of mockery.

Cassidy was sitting in my seat.

"Sorry, but this spot has the best view of the garden. Archer said I can sit here from now on."

I looked at Archer. He said nothing, which meant silent approval.

And with that, Cassidy’s smug gaze became a clear declaration of my humiliation.

Without thinking, I raised my hand and smacked her hard across the face, freezing her and everyone else in place.

"Get up. This is my seat! No one sits here without my permission!"

If I weren’t allowed to leave, at least no one was taking my place as lady of the house.

Dorian jumped off his chair and shoved me.

"You’re bullying Sister Cassidy! You’re a bad woman!"

Archer stepped in front of the aggrieved girl, shielding her behind him, his face dark with anger.

"It’s just a seat, must you fight over it?"

I clenched my fists and stared at both of them, their faces identical as they scolded me. But I didn’t back down.

Meeting my heartbroken gaze, something flickered in Archer’s eyes. Finally, he spoke.

"Cassidy, you sit here."

Cassidy reluctantly moved to the seat across from me, though she stayed next to Archer.

I hadn’t eaten in two days. With nothing left to hold on to, I picked up my fork and took a few bites.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Cassidy slip off her shoes under the table, stretching her foot into Archer’s lap with a playful grin.

Archer’s breath hitched. He glanced at me, trying to maintain control.

"Elise, why have Dorian’s grades been slipping lately? You know how much I care about his education."

He scolded me seriously, yet his left hand remained on Cassidy’s foot, rubbing it shamelessly under the table.

Cassidy bit her lip and giggled, her eyes meeting his in a silent exchange of shared secrets.

I slammed my fork and knife down and stood up, fighting the rising nausea in my throat.

"From now on, he’ll have a tutor and a housekeeper. As the daughter of a servant, I have no right to discipline a Monroe heir."

Archer’s face darkened with anger.

"Must you be like this? Dorian is your son!"

"Is he?" I shot back, watching as his words froze him in shock. Without another word, I turned and made my way up the spiral staircase.

A sharpwitted maid quickly led Dorian away, her quick thinking sparing him from the scene.

Even the distance of the staircase couldn’t block out Archer’s crude words to Cassidy.

"Try that again next time, and I’ll screw you right on the dining table."

Back in my room, I called my personal assistant.

“Micah, sell off all my shares. Hasn’t Alfonso always wanted them? Transfer them to him.”

I owned ten percent of Monroe Corporation, a gift from Archer’s grandfather after I gave birth to Dorian.

Alfonso, who always clashed with Archer, was constantly eyeing the heir’s position. I believed this would be the perfect gift for him.

Once I finished the arrangements and hung up, I heard voices seeping through the crack in the door.

“Hmm, so what if she shamelessly seduced Mr. Monroe? She’s nothing but a cheap, vulgar woman. In the end, she’s no match for a true heiress. Serves her right!”

Yeah. I gave everything I had to prop up the crumbling Monroe family; that was my punishment.

“Didn’t she make a scene about getting a divorce today? And now she won’t leave. I mean, who would willingly give up being Mrs. Monroe?”

I sighed softly.

Yes, I should step aside.

Suddenly, a maid shrieked, “Oh my! Sir, Alfonso, you’re back from your world tour?”

Archer’s mother, Willa’s voice came next, cold as ice.

“If we hadn’t come, would you lowly gossips talk yourselves to death?”

Chapter 6

The elders of the Monroe family had returned early.

Fine by me. I opened the door, stepped out, and handed the signed divorce papers to Archer’s father, Vincent.

He studied me with a sharp, calculating gaze.

“We know everything about what’s been going on between you and Archer. Elise, don’t you realize how many women would kill to marry into the Monroe family?”

“We’ve treated you well all these years, out of respect for your mother. My son’s spoiled you, what more do you want?”

So, I was supposed to tolerate his cheating?

I took a steadying breath. “Since Archer loves Cassidy so much, let them be together.”

Willa’s sharp fingernail jabbed between my brows.

“You lowborn tramp. Did you think you mattered?”

“If we hadn’t taken in you and your crippled mother, you’d be selling yourself on the street. We fed and clothed you, and now you want to disgrace the Monroe family?”

It was as if living with the Monroe family had been some grand favor.

I shoved her hand away, coldly meeting the eyes of the woman who had once been kind to me, but now, without hesitation, had turned against me.

“My mother was crippled saving your son’s life. I gave birth to a child for your useless son, continuing the Monroe family line. I owe you nothing.”

Willa leapt to her feet, her fury evident.

“Then don’t expect a single cent from our family!”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

So they were all the same.

“You think I married him for money? I don’t want your filthy wealth.”

I ignored them and turned to leave, only to find Archer’s gaze locked on mine.

With an immediate movement, he snatched the divorce papers from Vincent’s hands and ripped them apart. The pieces fluttered down like snow, drifting to the ground.

“I know I went too far in the garden earlier, but that’s only because you’ve been pushing me to the edge lately.”

“I already told you, the wedding with Cassidy was just temporary. As long as you behave, you’ll always be my wife.”

He seized my wrist, pulling me toward the bedroom.

“Elise, I’ve neglected you these past few days. Tonight, I’m all yours.”

As if he were bestowing me with a grand honor.

But who would endure watching their husband be affectionate with another woman?

Who could bear to hear their child call someone else “Mom”?

To let the world laugh at them behind their back?

I barely managed to whisper, “No…”

His mother’s irritated voice cut in.

“This woman’s an ungrateful wretch. Why are you still being so kind to her?”

Archer glanced back at me, a cruel smile tugging at his lips. “Because she gave me a son.”

As if I were no more than a vessel for bearing his child.

I struggled, but he effortlessly tossed me onto the bed, his body pressing down on mine.

In his mind, I should be honored by this.

But all I felt was dread and disgust.

After dodging his kisses repeatedly, Archer finally lost his patience, his face dark with fury.

“Look at me, Elise!”

He bit my lips violently, his tongue forcing its way inside. I bit down hard, instantly, the taste of blood filled my mouth.

Clutching his mouth in pain, he howled, but I pushed him off in panic.

He rose like a crazed beast, roaring above me.

“What do you want from me, Elise?! What will it take to satisfy you?!”

I clutched my clothes to me, my voice shaking with desperation.

“I just want to leave you!”

His fury deepened, and with a maddened desperation, he crawled over, pinning me beneath him with arms as strong as steel.

“Elise, you love me. You know you do!”

The door slammed with frantic pounding.

“Who dares interrupt me?!”

A servant’s voice trembled from outside.

“Miss Trent’s been throwing up nonstop. Do you want to check on her?”

Archer hesitated, his gaze burning into mine.

I turned my face away. “Go. Your wife needs you.”

He frowned, his voice cold. “I told you, my wife is you.”

But his hand loosened from my wrist.

“Rest well. Tomorrow’s your birthday. I’ll make time for you.”

I was exhausted. I didn’t want his company anymore.

He left in a hurry.

I curled up, burying my head under the blanket. Outside, the endless shuffling of servants made my heart race.

Suddenly, Willa’s delighted voice echoed down the hallway:

“Wonderful, Dr. Grey, thank you so much!”

“That filthy woman thought she could use a child to threaten us? Well, now we’re having another grandson. We don’t need her anymore.”

Chapter 7

I sat there, lost in thought, listening to the voices outside.

Oh, he was having another child.

God truly did favor a man with such a low sperm count, did he?

Willa’s voice was thick with maternal warmth.

“Cassidy, I’m going to gift you and the baby an East Nova Villa. You can rest there and take care of yourself.”

Cassidy replied, pretending to be modest.

“Oh no, I couldn’t. After all, Elise is Archer’s legal wife. You should give the villa to her instead.”

Willa scoffed, cold and dismissive.

“That woman won’t be part of the Monroe family for much longer.”

Their voices faded as the door opened.

I looked up to see Dorian stepping in, chin held high.

“Did you hear? Sister Cassidy’s going to have a baby.”

“Yes, congratulations. Soon, you’ll have a happy family of six. As you wanted, your father has a new child now, so he won’t bother me anymore.”

Dorian’s brow furrowed in confusion.

“Aren’t you angry?”

I sighed, sadness in my gaze.

“Dorian, I just hope that after she has her own child, she’ll still treat you with the same kindness she does now.”

I couldn’t bring myself to hate him.

He was still just a child.

I only hoped that Archer would fulfill his duties as a father and not ruin Dorian’s life.

Suddenly, Dorian shouted defiantly.

“Sister Cassidy will definitely treat me well! She said I’m like her real son. No matter how many babies she has, she’ll always love me the most! Not like you, you’re cruel even to your own child!”

I couldn’t fathom how he could use the word “cruel.”

But then, he bit down hard.

A shock of blood spilled from his mouth, staining his lips.

Panic surged through me as I rushed to him. “Dorian, what’s wrong?!”

But he shoved me away, screaming, collapsing, and crawling toward the door.

“Help! Daddy! Mommy’s trying to kill me!”

The door burst open, and Archer stormed in.

The sight of his bleeding son set his eyes ablaze with fury.

“Is this how far you’ll go? Hurt your own child over a few words?!”

Dorian curled into his arms, shooting me a sly, victorious smile.

In that moment, everything clicked.

He was still so young, how could he have schemed like this?

I stood frozen, dumbstruck.

“It was Cassidy. She taught him this. I didn’t hurt him.”

Cassidy appeared in the doorway, cradling her stomach, tears glistening in her eyes.

“I’m about to become a mother, too. How could I teach a child something like this? Elise, you’re not fit to be a mother.”

Dorian lifted a trembling finger toward me.

“It was Mommy. She gave me a candy. My stomach hurts so much, Daddy!”

“I’ll never forgive you, Elise.”

Archer’s glare was filled with murder, and it sent a chill down my spine.

He ordered them to lock me in the room, taking Dorian to find a doctor.

I pounded on the door, begging the bodyguards to let me out, but no one answered.

I even considered jumping from the thirdfloor window, but I still had a child in my womb.

Just as I had lost all hope, the door creaked open.