Chapter 3

Seeing that I didn't reply, Yvonne didn't look embarrassed at all. Instead, she turned to Julian with a playful, scolding tone.

"Julian, look at you. Miss Vance has had such a long, exhausting day. The moment she walks in, you start lecturing her. Can't this wait until we're at the dinner table?"

"Go wash your hands, both of you. Dinner is ready."

Julian nodded and reached out to hold my hand.

I slapped his hand away.

My face was dark as I glared at him. "Why is she in our house?"

Seeing my anger, Julian quickly explained, "Yvonne's father sold their house abroad. They have nowhere to stay right now. For convenience, I thought they could temporarily crash here."

"I’ve already sent my assistant to rent an apartment for them. It will take a week at most."

"Then they’ll move out."

But I wasn't an idiot. I wasn't going to be fooled by such a pathetic excuse.

"Julian, there are thousands of luxury hotels in New York, and you have at least a dozen properties under your name."

"And yet you chose to bring her to our newlywed home? Are you trying to disgust me?"

"Get them out. Now."

Seeing that I wouldn't budge, the smile on Julian’s face began to fade.

His tone grew cold.

"Chloe, can't you just show some compassion?"

"Just treat them like a charity case and let them stay for a couple of days. They'll stay on the first floor, and we'll be on the second. They won't get in our way."

I didn't say a word.

I just stared at him with absolute disappointment.

My silent gaze made Julian look flustered and guilty. He knew that no matter what, he was the one who had started this mess.

Just as he opened his mouth to speak, Yvonne cut him off.

"Julian, Miss Vance. Please don't fight because of us. I’ll take Leo and find a hotel."

"Miss Vance, please don't blame Julian. This is all my fault. He sent me the divorce papers a year ago, but I was the one who kept stalling, hoping we still had a chance. I’m the one who ruined your wedding."

As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes again. She looked incredibly tragic, staring at Julian with deep longing.

Then she blinked rapidly, forcing her tears back.

"Alright, let's not talk about this."

"Go wash your hands and eat. I’ll bring out the dishes."

At first, I wasn't entirely sure.

But watching Yvonne perform this little act, I was one hundred percent certain she was a master manipulator—a total green tea bitch.

How did I know?

I could see the guilt and tenderness softening Julian's face as he watched her.

If she really cared about not causing trouble, she wouldn't have put on this show. She would have checked herself into a hotel long before we arrived.

Sure enough, halfway through dinner, Yvonne looked at me timidly.

"Miss Vance, I can survive in a hotel alone. But Leo is still so young. I’m afraid he won't get used to a hotel room. I noticed there’s a fully furnished nursery on the first floor."

"Could we..."

I put down my fork, my response instant and cold.

"No."

Yvonne gasped, clearly not expecting me to reject her so ruthlessly.

She tried to play the pity card again.

"I know I don't have the right to ask for favors. But Leo grew up abroad, and his immune system is very weak. He has so many allergies—nuts, pollen, even dust mites. I’m just worried about his safety in a random hotel."

"Miss Vance, I’m begging you. Please..."

I frowned, losing my patience.

"Yvonne, do you not speak English? I said no. And I mean no."

Having been completely shut down, Yvonne turned her tearful eyes to Julian, looking like a whipped puppy.

"Julian, Leo is your son after all. He was just in the ER because of a peanut allergy. Please."

Julian was swayed. He looked at me, preparing to persuade me.

But I cut him off before he could start.

"That nursery is prepared for my future child. If her child has a weak immune system, so does mine."

"I don't want strangers using the room and leaving germs behind."

My words were harsh.

It triggered Julian's protective paternal instincts. He slammed his fork onto the table, his guilt replaced by rage.

"Chloe! How can you say something so heartless? Germs?"

"You wanted me to divorce, and I had my lawyer draft the papers immediately. You didn't want them to stay, and Yvonne willingly offered to leave. Now, it's just an empty nursery, and you're being this cruel?"

"We don't even have a child yet! What's wrong with letting Leo stay there for a few days?"

Staring at Julian’s furious, distorted face, I gently placed my hand over my lower abdomen.

My voice was dead calm.

"We do have a child."

"Julian, I'm pregnant."