“Soon, just wait a little longer. Didn’t I already bring Natalie to see Solomon?”

When I wasn’t around, Brynn didn’t push Sylvie away again.

“Brother, Solomon is still so young. I really can’t bear it. After all, I carried him in my womb for ten months.”

Her voice was soft, tinged with grievance, like a whisper soaked in tears.

“Mom really likes Solomon too. She says he’s just like you were as a child, smart, obedient, and easy to love.”

At once, the image of that mother-in-law who’d never spared me a kind word rose vividly in my mind.

The whole Murphy family, from top to bottom, had played me like a fiddle.

For seven long years, through every New Year, every holiday, they’d sat and watched me and Sylvie on either side of Brynn. Did they think their son was reliving some ancient fantasy, one wife, one concubine?

Downstairs, Brynn stood straight as a board, his tone laced with impatience.

“I’ve already promised you Solomon will have the status of the Murphy family’s grandson. That’s as far as I’ll go. Don’t get greedy. My wife will always be Natalie.”

Hearing that, Sylvie’s expression faltered for a split second, but in the next moment, she composed herself. As if nothing had happened, she lifted her hand and let her fingers slip beneath the hem of his shirt.

Her smile turned sultry, but her voice carried a sugar-coated complaint.

“I never asked for much. Being listed as your ‘wife’ on the household registry is enough for me. Brother, tell me, between her and me, who’s wilder in bed?”

My chest tightened as if my breath had been slashed by a dull blade.

I couldn’t stop myself from looking at Brynn, desperate to see how he would react.

But what I saw made my heart plummet, his gaze turned hazy, his pupils darkening, and his Adam’s apple moved slightly.

In the next instant, he shoved Sylvie against the wall at the turn of the hallway, lowered his head close to her lips, and muttered hoarsely, “Of course, it’s you. Who could be wilder than you?”

Sylvie giggled, her fingers lazily hooking at his chest.

I stood frozen at the top of the stairs, my grip tight on the handrail, my knuckles turning white.

Hearing that, what else was left to figure out?

Brynn and Sylvie had been together all along, behind my back. And they weren’t just sneaky about it; they were playing with fire.

I remembered how, once upon a time, when Brynn had been swept up in passion, he’d suggested trying something more adventurous. But I, shy and hesitant, had refused.

Back then, he hadn’t pushed me. He simply held me and promised he’d listen to me.

I had thought it was kindness.

Now, I saw it for what it was; every single thing I’d refused, he’d probably shared with Sylvie.

My heart froze, and I couldn’t bear to watch it any longer.

I stomped heavily down the stairs.

The sharp click of my heels against the floor broke the silence, and in an instant, they sprang apart.

Brynn shoved Sylvie away so quickly, as if nothing had happened, then turned to me.

“Why are you down here so soon, honey? Did you enjoy meeting Solomon?”

I saw right through his calm act, and something lodged in my throat, I couldn’t get a word out.

Happy? How could I be happy?

He handed me another woman’s child, expecting me to play the role of the kind, understanding stepmother. Did he think I’d jump at the chance?

I forced my voice to remain steady, though it felt hollow as I said, “I thought about it. I’ve decided not to adopt.”

The moment the words escaped, Brynn’s face went pale.

“Why, honey?”

I clenched my fists until my nails.

How old was Solomon?

Seven.

And I had been married to Brynn for seven years.

Which meant, the year I eagerly stepped into this marriage, he already had a child.

All those years, I’d feared having children, and he’d comforted me with promises of not needing them; his child had already been running around, growing up.

And now, as I had finally come to terms with having a child of my own, his child was about to start elementary school.

Why, Brynn?

Why didn’t you tell me?

“I just don’t want to raise him,” I said, my voice flat and emotionless.

“Natalie, you’re so cold-blooded.”

For the first time, Brynn’s eyes held nothing but disappointment, his expression as cold as ice.

“Solomon is my childhood friend’s only child. Before the accident, his only concern was ensuring Solomon had a home.”

I stared at him, silent.

He was still playing his part, still weaving his lies. And he played them so convincingly.

If I didn’t already know the truth, maybe I would’ve felt a stab of guilt at his words.

“Sister-in-law, don’t be so heartless,” Sylvie piped up, her voice oozing sweetness. “He’s just a child. Don’t you have any compassion?”

From upstairs, the elderly woman descended slowly, Solomon clinging to her leg like a timid shadow.

She shot me a disapproving look, her face twisted in judgment.

“Madam, Solomon’s such a sensible child. Don’t you think you should soften your heart? You don’t have children of your own. It would bring some life into the house.”

They spoke in perfect unison, like a well-rehearsed play, each word designed to pierce my heart with guilt.

Pain twisted in my lower abdomen, and cold sweat trickled down my spine.

“Brynn, we could have our own child,” I said through clenched teeth, staring him down. “Why adopt?”

A flicker of broken hope shone in my eyes, but I still gave him one last chance.

But he only frowned, hesitation flickering in his eyes.

“I can’t bear to see you suffer through childbirth. If you want, we can try later. Solomon is so sensible; maybe he’d make a good older brother…”

A loud buzz rang through my mind, my chest feeling as though it was being torn apart.

We had been childless for seven years because of our own issues.

For seven years, people might’ve said we weren’t in a rush.

But once we adopted a child, what would others think?

Men never understood the sting of having people stare at your stomach, their eyes full of pity.

He hadn’t even considered that.

I let out a bitter laugh, cold as shards of ice.

“In that case, why not let Sylvie adopt him? Didn’t she always say she wouldn’t marry? Perfect chance for her to have a companion. Or let your mom raise him, another little brother would liven things up around here.”

“Enough!”

Brynn’s face twisted in anger. For the first time in seven years, he snapped at me.

“Natalie, stop being so unreasonable.”

“Sylvie’s a woman; how could she adopt a child?”

“My mom is too old; how could she possibly take in a child again?”

He shielded Sylvie behind him, his anger a mask for the guilt in his eyes.

My last shred of hope for Brynn shattered with those words, like falling from a cliff and crashing to pieces.

Looking at him, standing protectively over Sylvie, my heart went numb.

His heart had already turned, hadn’t it?

I murmured, barely any emotion in my voice: “Fine, go ahead and adopt.”

After all, it had nothing to do with me.

We weren’t even legally married.

The child wouldn’t be registered under my name anyway.

Brynn seemed stunned for a moment before quickly exhaling in relief and immediately apologizing. “Honey, I’m sorry. I was too harsh just now. That was my fault.”

Afraid I’d change my mind, he hastily left with the old woman to continue their act.

Solomon stood at the top of the stairs, staring at me like a lifeless doll. His eyes mirrored Brynn’s exactly.

A wave of unease washed over me. My steps faltered, and I gripped the handrail tightly as I descended.

“Natalie, feeling proud of yourself?” Sylvie sneered suddenly.

I hadn’t even processed her words when a sharp, tumbling noise echoed through the house, and Solomon actually fell down the stairs.

He tumbled and landed on the soft mat below, a heart-wrenching cry exploding from him instantly.

“Solomon!”

Sylvie knelt on the floor, her trembling hands clutching the child tightly, tears streaming down her face as she desperately wiped at the scrape on his forehead.

“Don’t scare me, Solomon, open your eyes and look at me…”

At that moment, Brynn rushed in, his eyes landing on Sylvie, crying as she held Solomon.

“What happened?!”

“Brother, I saw it with my own eyes! Sister-in-law pushed Solomon down the stairs!!”

Sylvie finally gathered the courage to speak, her voice breaking like a pear blossom drenched in rain.

“She doesn’t like Solomon, fine, but why would she hurt him?”

Brynn suddenly scooped Solomon up, his face painted with concern.

In his arms, Solomon weakly tugged at his sleeve and whispered pitifully, “Daddy, I’m fine. Auntie didn’t mean to. I fell by accident.”

Hearing that, Brynn’s eyes shot daggers at me, a strange chill creeping into his gaze.

“Natalie, when did you become so vicious?! You’d better pray nothing happens to the child.”

He stood before me, his voice low and dangerous:

“I’ve spoiled you too much. If anything happens to Solomon, don’t ever show your face in front of me again.”

That sentence hit me like a hammer.

I stayed silent; not a word escaped my lips in my defense.

Brynn hadn’t seen what really happened, yet he so easily believed the words of that woman and her child.

A chill slowly crept through my limbs, creeping from the soles of my feet all the way to the top of my head.

The man I had believed loved me for seven years now saw me as a villain, convinced that I had intentionally harmed someone.

As the car carried me home, my mind was a whirlwind.

Finally, I reached for my phone and dialed my father’s number.

The call connected quickly, and I could hear the lively chatter of a dinner party in the background.

“Hello? Baby? What made you think of calling Daddy?”

“Did something upset you recently? Or do you miss me? Want to come home and stay with me for a few days?”

But now, it was clear I was wrong. I should’ve listened to him from the beginning. My throat was dry.

“Dad, that marriage alliance you mentioned before, does it still stand?”

There was a clear pause on the other end, followed by a hearty laugh.

“Of course it does! Why the sudden interest? I just so happen to be having dinner with the old man from that family. His son’s been single for seven years, and the old man’s about to lose his mind!”

Just as my father’s voice faded, I heard a familiar male voice from the phone, laughing lightly.

“Uncle, you can’t just expose me like that.”

But I didn’t recognize who it was, or perhaps I just didn’t care anymore.

I closed my eyes, my voice hoarse yet firm as I spoke, “Go ahead and make the arrangements as soon as possible. I’ll sign without hesitation. I’ll cooperate.”

There was a brief pause on the other end, and then my father’s voice grew more cautious as he moved to a quieter spot.

“Baby, something’s happened between you and Brynn? You’re not joking, are you? Haven’t you two been married for seven years? Are you getting a divorce?”

I didn’t even know how to respond to his questions.

How could I explain that we were never even married in the first place, so where would a divorce come from?

“I was never married to him.”

I cut him off before he could say more and sent him everything the private investigator had found.

“Dad, go ahead with the marriage arrangement. This time, I’ll do whatever you say.”

With that, I hung up. The screen dimmed, reflecting the pale, hollow look on my face.