Leon ducked away from Serena's outstretched hand and ran straight behind Eliza.

"I don't want you," he muttered stubbornly, clutching Eliza's clothes. "Eliza will take care of me."

Serena's hand froze midair.

Only then did she notice the woman standing by the door.

Eliza Stone.

She stood there elegantly in a white dress, holding her son Oliver's hand as though she had every right to be in the Powell residence. Rainwater still clung lightly to the ends of her hair, making her look fragile and gentle.

Victor stood beside her silently.

The warm atmosphere between the four of them made Serena feel like the outsider.

Leon leaned against Eliza obediently while Oliver stood close to Victor without fear, as if he was already familiar with this house.

Serena slowly lowered her hand. "Why are they here?"

Victor removed his coat calmly and handed it to the servant nearby. "It's raining heavily outside. Eliza and Oliver will stay here for a while."

For a while.

Serena almost laughed at how casually he said it.

This was the master residence of the Powell family, yet Victor sounded as though he was informing a housekeeper instead of speaking to his wife.

Leon tugged on Eliza's sleeve. "My knee hurts."

Eliza immediately crouched down and checked his wound gently. "It's just a small scrape. Don't be scared."

Her voice was soft and patient.

Leon pouted. "If Mommy did it, she'd definitely scold me again."

The word "Mommy" stabbed into Serena's chest like a needle.

Victor frowned slightly at Leon. "Don't talk nonsense.

But there was no real warning in his tone.

Serena stood quietly by the side, suddenly feeling exhausted.

Just yesterday, Leon had still been acting spoiled toward her. Yet after spending only a short time with Eliza, he had already begun pushing Serena away openly.

Eliza looked up apologetically. "Mrs. Powell, Leon is still young. Please don't misunderstand."

Serena looked at her calmly. "Then what exactly should I misunderstand?"

The air instantly turned tense.

Victor stepped forward impatiently. "Enough. It's late."

He naturally picked Leon up into his arms.

"Oliver," Eliza said gently, "say hello to Uncle Victor properly."

Oliver obediently nodded. "Hello, Uncle Victor."

Victor's cold expression softened slightly. "Good boy."

Serena watched the interaction silently.

It looked painfully harmonious.

As if they were the real family.

The servant quickly came downstairs. "Mr. Powell, the guest room has already been prepared."

Victor nodded, but before anyone could move, Leon suddenly spoke up.

"I want Ollie to sleep with me!"

Oliver's eyes lit up immediately. "Really?"

"Yeah!" Leon grinned excitedly. "My room has lots of toys."

The two children instantly ran upstairs together.

Eliza looked troubled. "Will this be too much trouble?"

Victor replied calmly, "It's fine. The kids get along well."

Serena's fingers slowly tightened.

Even Leon's room had already become shared territory.

She suddenly remembered all the toys she had personally picked out for Leon, all the nights she spent putting him to sleep, all the times she stayed awake when he was sick.

Yet now, another child was casually stepping into the life she built.

A servant walked downstairs again awkwardly.

"Mr. Powell... Young Master Oliver seems to really like the master bedroom. He says the view there is beautiful."

Serena's expression instantly changed.

The master bedroom.

That was her room with Victor.

Before she could speak, Leon's excited voice drifted downstairs.

"Ollie, come look! My daddy and mommy sleep here!"

The servant looked embarrassed. "Young Master Leon already brought him inside."

Serena's chest tightened violently.

She immediately turned and walked upstairs.

Just as she reached the bedroom door, she saw Oliver standing by the balcony curiously looking around, while Leon climbed onto the large bed happily.

"This room is so big!" Oliver exclaimed.

Leon nodded proudly. "Daddy sleeps here every night."

Eliza hurried over behind them. "Leon, Ollie, don't make trouble."

But her tone carried no urgency at all.

Serena stood at the doorway silently, staring at the scene in front of her.

Her private space had been entered so casually.

Like her boundaries no longer mattered.

Victor walked upstairs afterward and frowned slightly when he saw Serena standing there.

"It's just children playing around," he said flatly. "Why are you overreacting?"

Overreacting.

Serena suddenly felt cold all over.

Her husband had brought another woman and her child home.

They entered her son's room.

Now they were standing inside her bedroom.

Yet somehow, she was the unreasonable one.

Eliza gently pulled Oliver back. "Ollie, come out first. This is Mr. and Mrs. Powell's room."

Oliver lowered his head obediently. "Okay, Mom."

Leon immediately grabbed Oliver's arm unwillingly. "Why can't he stay? I want Ollie here!"

Victor looked at Serena. "They're just children."

Serena met his eyes quietly.

For the first time, she realized something clearly.

This house no longer felt like her home anymore.

Just then, Leon suddenly waved his little hand. "Dad, let Eliza have Mom's room. It's big and bright perfect for Eliza and Offie." 

Victor paused for a second. 

Eliza immediately caught the subtle shift in his expression and rushed to speak before he could say anything. "No, that's not okay if there's really no space, I'll take Oliver and find somewhere else to stay. I'm so sorry for bothering you." 

"It's no bother," Leon said, suddenly pouting. He turned his head and looked at Serena with urgency and grievance, raising his voice. "Say something. What, you lost your voice today?" 

Serena looked into Leon's eyes, full of blame. "If Eliza takes my room, then where am I supposed to sleep?" she questioned 

Leon puffed out his cheeks, clearly indifferent, his face turning red as he shouted like it was the most obvious thing in the world, "The storage room has a bed. Just sleep there. 

"You should be glad you even have a place to stay. Why are you being so picky?" 

Hearing that, Eliza looked troubled. She stepped forward slightly, her eyes full of sincerity and apology. 

She looked at Leon as she spoke gently, "Leon, I'm a guest. Your mom is the host. How could I take the host's room? I'm already thankful she's letting me stay here. Oliver and I aren't going to be picky." 

Eliza turned to look at Oliver, who had been quiet the whole time. "Right, Oliver?" 

Oliver gave a calm nod. 

"Well, Ms. Stone, you really know your place," Serena replied evenly, going along with her. "So you all can figure out another plan for the room." 

Serena had swallowed her pride for years. She wasn't going to back down anymore. 

Hearing that, Leon was furious. "You're such a wretch. I knew you didn't really want Eliza to stay. You're so annoying." 

He put his little fists on his hips. "But don't even think about kicking Eliza out. I'll just sleep with Dad, and Eliza and Ollie can have my room." 

Victor's eyes lit up. "That works. It's settled then." 

Leon happily pushed the suitcases toward the elevator, and Victor led Eliza and Oliver to Leon's room. 

Once again, Serena was the extra one. She was used to it. She went back to her room and started packing. 

Not long after, Eliza came in with a cup of hot coffee in her hands. "Mrs. Powell, may I come in? Are you packing for something? Going out?" 

Serena didn't respond. She couldn't exactly tell Eliza she was leaving. 

Eliza said, "Leon poured this coffee for you. He may be little, but he's got a lot of pride. He was too embarrassed to bring it.

Serena didn't believe for a second that Leon had poured that coffee for her.  self." 

If Eliza hadn't shown up, maybe Serena would've believed it. But Leon now hated Serena too much to even get her a cup of coffee. 

Serena said, "Ms. Stone, you don't need to smooth things over between me and teon. The four of you living happily ever after is better than anything else." 

Even though Eliza had played innocent ever since she walked in–and had even stepped in a few times to help correct Leon–Serena didn't believe that  was her true colors, Serena's instincts told her Eliza was far from simple. 

Eliza bit her lip, looking guilty. "Mrs. Powell, did I do something to make you misunderstand me?" 

She walked over to Serena anxiously. Seeing Serena folding clothes, Eliza quickly reached out and grabbed her hand. 

Eliza said, "Mrs. Powell, if you don't want me to stay, just say it. I can leave. But please don't get the wrong idea about me. I never meant to sabotage your relationship with your family. I really didn't-" 

Serena cut in coldly, "Let go." 

"I'm begging you, please don't misunderstand me, okay? I'll leave, alright?" 

"I said let go." 

Serena had no idea what Eliza was trying to do. Seeing her stubbornly clinging on, Serena yanked her wrist free. 

Before Serena could say anything, Eliza, who had been standing just fine, suddenly fell. The hot coffee in her hand spilled onto Serena's skin, instantly turning a large area red. 

"Ow!" Eliza's sharp cry pierced the air. 

"What happened?" Leon and Victor rushed over the moment they heard the noise. The moment they saw the scene in front of them, their expressions suddenly changed. 

Victor rushed forward, his eyes tinged red with panic. "Ellie, are you okay? Are you hurt?" 

Eliza raised her hand pitifully. Her delicate skin was now marked with a small red burn. "Victor, it's my fault. I shouldn't have come today. I upset Mrs. Powell. Please don't blame her." 

Victor turned to glare at Serena, his eyes filled with anger. "Why did you do this? Ellie's just here to stay for a couple days. 

"It was already bad enough how you kept giving her a hard time, but now you actually laid hands on her?" 

Instantly blamed for something she didn't do, Serena was shaking with rage, knowing full well she'd just been set up. But her mind went blank. She blurted out the truth, "She fell on purpose." 

Serena had thought Victor still had some ability to tell right from wrong. But not only did he lack that now, his face darkened even more. 

He yelled, "Serena. How can you be so cruel? Why would Ellie fall on her own for no reason? You did it, just admit it. You've really let me down." 

He scooped Eliza into his arms and rushed to the living room to apply medicine to her burn. 

Even Leon pointed at Serena's face and cursed her out, screaming, "You're such a wretch. I hate you. You're evil and disgusting. You don't deserve to be my mom. Just die already. Stop ruining things between Dad and Eliza." 

Serena shoved him away, her breathing heavy. "Leon Powell, you little brat, say that again." 

Leon lost his balance and fell to the floor, tears welling up in his eyes. "You wretch, I don't love you anymore. I hate you." With that, he took off running. 

Serena's fingers trembled, and a dull pain throbbed on the back of her hand. Serena lowered her eyes and looked at the large burn across it, then laughed. Eliza had only gotten a few drops on her and Victor was already that worked up. But Serena was hurt far worse, and no one cared. 

Serena's throat moved with a deep swallow as she walked alone to the bathroom to run cold water over her hand. 

The water was colder than usual, and the twisted, jagged scar in her palm seemed even more noticeable now. 

Outside, she heard Leon's cheerful voice. "Yay. We're going out to eat. Daddy's the best, Ellie's the best too, I wish every day could be like this," he laughed. 

"Victor, are you sure Mrs. Powell won't be upset we're not taking her?" Eliza asked. 

Victor said, "She won't be. And even if she is, she'll get over it by the time we're back." 

Serena turned the faucet up to full blast, drowning out their voices from the living room. 

After a long while, she suddenly shut off the water with a loud clack and walked straight into the bedroom, her steps firm and unwavering. 

Serena thought, 'I'll get over it? No, Victor. Not this time.'

"Today was so much fun. Eliza, I want to go again tomorrow," Leon said excitedly, tugging Eliza's hand as they walked into the living room. 

Eliza reached out to pat Leon's head, her smile bright. "Of course, Leon. If there's something you want to do, I'll definitely take you. But everything I let you eat today was just the kind of stuff Oliver eats all the time. Nothing special." 

Leon pouted and started complaining, "My mom never lets me eat those things. Eliza, you don't even know how jealous I am of the other kids. Their moms are way better than her." 

Serena had just come out of the bathroom and heard the entire conversation. She walked down from the second floor, and the moment she looked up, she saw the ketchup still smeared on the corner of Leon's mouth. 

Serena asked sharply, "If you knew I don't let you eat that stuff, why did you still eat it?" 

Leon looked up at the sound of her voice. The moment he saw Serena, his face turned sour. 

Eliza spoke up, sounding apologetic, "I'm sorry, Mrs. Powell. I didn't know you don't usually let Leon eat that kind of stuff. But it's really no big deal once in a while. Oliver eats it too." 

Serena snorted, "Fast food is junk–loaded with fat and salt. It causes weight gain. Leon has a sensitive stomach. What makes you think it's no big deal? " 

Eliza's expression stiffened slightly. 

Leon shot back, "I've never eaten fast food before. It's just this once because Eliza brought me along. If you want to blame someone, blame me. Don't take it out on her." 

Leon's automatic defense of Eliza made Serena feel bitterly ironic. After everything Serena had done to take care of him, all it took was one fast food 

meal from Eliza to win him over. 

Eliza explained patiently, "Mrs. Powell, I understand how you feel as a mom. I'm a mom too. It's normal that kids like fast food. It's not like they eat it all the time. 

"Plus, Leon is fine right now. I just think maybe sometimes you don't need to be so strict with him."" 

Serena sneered, "Really? And if something did happen, would you take responsibility?" 

"Eliza would never be as stingy as you. Ollie eats this stuff all the time and he's fine. You just can't stand seeing me happy." With that, Leon wiped his tears angrily and ran upstairs. 

Seeing Leon run upstairs, Victor lost his temper and snapped, "Serena, was it really necessary to blow up over something so small? 

"Ellie was just being kind. If you didn't keep telling Leon what he can and can't eat, he wouldn't crave junk food so much." 

They all acted like it was Serena's fault. She didn't bother arguing and turned to leave. She thought, 'Since Victor, as Leon's father, doesn't care, why should I go out of my way to cause trouble for myself? 

Back in her room, Serena packed up her things and thought, 'Just a little longer. Once I get through this, I won't have anything to do with this family ever again.' 

Early the next morning, just as Serena was waking up, she heard a knock at the door. Before she could respond, the door was already pushed open. 

Eliza walked in with a smile, holding a glass of milk. "Mrs. Powell, Victor took the kids out. He asked me to let you know you don't need to prepare any meals for us today." 

Serena didn't even glance at her. She turned and sat down at the vanity, calmly taking off the bracelet from her wrist. 

"I'm not interested in any of that. You don't need to tell me. And Me, Stone, didn't anyone ever teach you to knock and wait for permission before entering someone else's room?" Serena remarked. 

Eliza's fingers tightened slightly around the glass, her knuckles turning pate. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Powell. I wasn't thinking, I just felt like maybe there's been a misunderstanding between us. 

"When I had issues with my house, Victor invited me to stay here. I didn't think too much at the time. But don't worry. Once my place is fixed, I'll leave with Oliver right away" 

Serena could hear the provocation in Eliza's words. "Eliza, there's no one else around right now. You don't need to keep pretending. Do you think that act of yours still works?" Serena turned and looked her straight in the eye. 

"Mrs. Powell, I'm not sure what you mean," Eliza said as she sat down on a stool across from her. She set the glass of milk on the table, rested her chin on her right hand, and put on a troubled expression, 

She continued, "I thought you were smart. When you saw me come back, I figured you'd know better and leave. 

"I know the Powell family has a lot of money, and you want to stay a bit longer to get a bigger cut. But think about it–do you really believe someone like Victor would give you anything?" 

Now that Eliza had dropped the act, Serena smirked coldly. She had no interest in the Powell family's money. But now, she was genuinely curious about why Eliza had come back to the country. 

Serena asked, "Eliza, if you chose to leave Victor back then, why come back now? Is it because your ex–husband broke?" 

Eliza's face darkened. Her hand clenched slightly, but after a pause, she let out a breath. "Serena, stop trying to get a read on me. It won't be long before Vic divorces you. You'd better start thinking about how you're going to live after that." 

As she spoke, the smile on her face grew wider. "I've only spent a few days with Leon and he already adores me this much. There's no way he'll choose you." 

It felt like a sharp knife stabbed straight into Serena's heart. She thought, "If even the son I gave birth to prefers another woman, then so be it. I don't want anything anymore.' 

Sensing the shift in Serena's emotions, Eliza got an idea. She stood up, walked over, and snatched the emerald bracelet Serena had just put away. 

The emerald bracelet was high–quality, clearly expensive, and easily worth millions of dollars. Eliza hadn't expected the Powell family to give Serena something this valuable. 

"You're not allowed to touch that." Serena reached out to take it back, but Eliza dodged her and stepped away. 

Eliza turned the emerald bracelet over in her hands, clearly amused. "So this bracelet's enough to make you lose control. No wonder you're clinging to the Powell family like your life depends on it. Let me help you out." 

Eliza's expression shifted instantly as she suddenly hurled the emerald bracelet to the floor. Even with carpet underfoot, the bracelet still snapped apart. 

Serena's expression changed. She rushed over in a panic, picked up the broken emerald bracelet from the floor, and looked it over carefully. Only when she saw that it was still salvageable did she calm down. 

With proper jewelry repair, it should be possible to restore it. When Serena returned it later, at least she'd have something to show for it. 

Eliza stood there, looking down with open disdain and contempt in her eyes. "You really are pathetic. Sorry. But since it's already broken, I'll throw it out for you." 

Caught off guard, Serena let Eliza snatch the bracelet away. 

The emerald bracelet was only broken into two pieces–there was still hope to get it repaired. But if Eliza damaged it further, there would be no way to fix 

Serena's eyes turned cold as ice. She stepped in front of Eliza at the top of the stairs. "Eliza, give me the bracelet." 

Eliza glanced toward the front door and heard the sound of Victor returning with the kids. 

Just as the door opened, Eliza suddenly grabbed Serena's hand. Tears streamed down Eliza's face, and her voice trembled with sorrow as she said, "Mrs. Powell, it's all my fault."