Chapter 3

My hand trembled as I held the pen. The divorce papers felt like a branding iron.

If I signed them, I'd lose everything. Four years of marriage, a child, all reduced to nothing.

"Sign it!" Blake sneered, urging me on. "What are you waiting for?"

The guests formed a circle around us, watching like it was a show.

Some whispered among themselves.

"Always said she wasn't good enough for Mr. Chen."

"Now the truth's out. The child isn't even his."

"How shameless, lying for all these years."

Each word cut into my heart like a knife.

I gritted my teeth, the pen shaking as it neared the paper.

Suddenly, a hand snatched the papers away.

Rip!

The papers were torn to shreds, fluttering to the ground.

I froze.

It was Evelyn. She stood in front of me, her face expressionless, her eyes cold and sharp.

"Mom?" Blake stared at her in shock.

Slap!

A resounding slap landed on Blake's face.

The room fell silent.

Everyone stared wide-eyed.

Evelyn's voice was ice-cold. "My granddaughter. How dare you question her?"

Blake held his cheek, disbelieving. "Mom, you hit me? For a bastard child?"

A warmth surged through me. Evelyn was standing up for me. She believed me.

But her next words sent a chill down my spine.

"Take the young madam and Miss Emma back to the old house," she ordered her bodyguards.

"No one is to see them without my permission."

What?

The bodyguards approached me, their movements gentle but leaving no room for refusal.

"Madam, please."

I was lifted up, holding a frightened Emma in my arms.

"Mommy, where are we going?" Emma asked softly.

I couldn't speak.

Looking back, I saw Blake glaring at me venomously.

Vanessa stood nearby with the boy, a smug smile on her face.

The guests continued to gossip.

"What is the old madam thinking?"

"Locking Natalie away?"

"Could she actually be innocent?"

My mind was in chaos.

What was Evelyn's intention?

Did she believe me, or was she just protecting the Chen family's reputation?

The car started moving.

Through the window, I watched the hotel grow distant.

It held four years of memories, now all turned into a nightmare.

Emma leaned against me, her little hands clutching my clothes tightly.

"Mommy, I'm scared."

I stroked her hair gently. "Don't be afraid, Mommy's here."

But I had no idea what would happen next.

That slap from Evelyn, what was it really for?

Did she truly believe Emma was her granddaughter?

Or did she have other motives?

The car pulled into the old Chen family mansion.

This grand, traditional house was once my safe haven.

Now it felt like a prison.

The bodyguard respectfully opened the door for me.

"Madam, the old madam is waiting for you in the study."

I got out of the car, holding Emma.

The night wind was cold, making me shiver.

I wasn't sure if it was the weather or fear.

The light in the study was on.

Evelyn stood by the window, her back to me.

"Mom," I called softly.

She turned around, her face unreadable.

"Sit."

I sat down with Emma, my heart pounding.

"Natalie, do you find today's events strange?" Evelyn asked.

I nodded.

"Did you look at that medical report?"

"I did," I said quietly. "But I really don't know..."

"I know," Evelyn interrupted me.

"Because that report is fake."

What?

I looked up sharply.

Evelyn's expression suddenly became complex.

"Natalie, it's time I told you some things."