Chapter 3

Leo hated me.

Or rather, anyone close to Jack didn't approve of me.

After Ella ran away for love, Jack married me under family pressure.

They were convinced I was a homewrecker who took advantage of the situation.

They openly isolated, excluded, and ignored me.

Leo was at the forefront of this treatment.

Using his status as Jack's brother, he would strut into the family mansion and destroy all the baby's breath flowers I had planted in the backyard.

Knowing I was allergic to cat hair, he encouraged Tommy to adopt a stray kitten.

When I disagreed, he suggested Tommy cry about it.

The commotion filled the entire living room.

Leo watched from the sidelines, suddenly playing the good guy and taking the high road.

"It's just a little cat. Let the kid have it if he likes it."

Tommy cried even harder, rolling on the ground and mumbling,

"Mommy is bad. I want the kitty."

I chased Leo out along with the cat and patiently explained to Tommy that I was allergic to cat hair, so we couldn't keep a cat, but we could get a puppy instead.

After Leo's manipulation, Tommy only had the cat on his mind and wouldn't listen. He kept hitting me, demanding I give him back the kitten.

This created a rift between Tommy and me.

Leo seized the opportunity to continue badmouthing me to Tommy, causing the young child to learn to oppose me.

He was like a demon crawling out of hell, turning my life upside down.