A flash of reluctance crossed Alain's face. He glanced at me, keeping his hands at his sides.

Jonathan pouted, his eyes glistening with tears. "Dad, don't you love me anymore?"

Mabel met my gaze and shivered. Her hand quickly clamped over Jonathan's mouth. "I'm sorry, but the kindergarten requires a family photo and a song. I didn't want to intrude, but Alain didn't check his phone. The homework is due tomorrow, so..."

Mabel lowered her eyes, guilt etched on her face. I maintained a stern expression, struggling to contain my anger.

They had been together all day, and now she remembered the homework.

She continued, "Could you do me a favor? I don't want Jonathan to be seen as a fatherless child."

My anger exploded. "Get lost! All of you!"

Jonathan had a father who helped with homework and attended every milestone.

In contrast, Jeff had a father who missed every parent-teacher meeting, never touched his homework, and was never there when he was sick. He was more like a fatherless child.

Alain covered Jonathan's ears, his expression darkening. "There's a child present. Watch your language."

The rims of Mabel's eyes reddened, and she tightened her grip on Jonathan. "Marie, I know you hate me. Hit me or cuss me out. I'll take it all. Just let Jonathan out of it. He is innocent."

Her shoulders shook as she buried her face and wept. "You've been a mother too. I believe you understand how I feel."

Suddenly, Jonathan jumped down and charged at me, slamming his head into my belly. I stumbled, barely managing to steady myself with the table, as pain shot through me.

Before I could react, his fists began to rain down on me, each blow amplifying my discomfort. "Don't bully my mom, you witch! I won't let you steal my dad!"

I pushed him away despite the pain, my face pale as I clutched my belly.

He fell to the ground, wailing, "I hate you! You took my dad away and bullied my mom. My family fell apart because of you. I'm not a happy little boy anymore."

Alain scooped him up, patting his back. "Don't cry, Jonathan. I will protect you."

His cold gaze sliced toward me. "Bullying my son comes with a price!"

"I'm sorry for putting you into this, sweetheart," Mabel sobbed, clutching Jonathan. "We're going home."

Alain's expression softened. He pulled them both into his arms. "No, don't go. This is your home now."

I watched their display of family affection with bitter sarcasm. The sharp pain in my belly made every detail painfully clear.

Sensing my gaze, Alain awkwardly released Mabel and shouted at me. "Marie, you're vicious! Why take adult problems out on a child? He is too young to understand anything."

Tears blurred my vision as I glanced at the boy in his arms. While Alain wasn't paying attention, Jonathan stuck his tongue out at me.

"What kind of child demands to sleep with you at night?" I shot back. "What kind of child pushes others and looks for praise? Sure enough, a mistress's child only knows dirty tricks!"

Veins bulged on Alain's forehead. "Enough! He just misses his dad and wants to protect his mom. I know you can't get over your loss, but that doesn't mean you can vent it on anyone."

I froze. "My loss? Yeah, Jeff is my child. You don't deserve to be his father!"

Alain was rendered speechless, and Mabel bowed to me.

"Please let us go," she pleaded dramatically. "Jonathan and I can move to the countryside. Just don't make things difficult for everyone. I shouldn't have fallen in love with Alain or have risked severe bleeding to give birth to Jonathan. It's my fault that Jonathan has to face such scrutiny."

Alain's eyes misted with emotion as he gazed at her, but my heart felt stabbed by needles.

Mabel wiped away her tears, continuing, "I know you come from a rich family with connections. I'm just a poor college student who delayed graduation for the birth. I never intended to compete with you. I just wanted to give Jonathan a complete home."

She looked up at me and begged bitterly, "Let it go, okay?"

Jonathan wriggled out of Alain's embrace and tugged at Mabel's sleeve. "Mom, don't beg her. The baby in you says she doesn't feel well. I'm the big brother now. I won't let her bully either of you."

Alain quickly pulled Mabel to her feet and examined her. Finding her unharmed, he sighed in relief. "You're pregnant now. Should be more careful."

"Didn't you say you hadn't cheated?" I demanded, glaring at him. "So, where did this child come from? Or are you so generous that you're willing to raise another man's child?"

Alain withdrew his hand from Mabel's shoulder, guilt creeping onto his face. "It's not her fault. I got drunk that night."

When he looked up, his eyes flashed with bitterness and resentment. "You've been so distant all these years, and I have needs as a man. This child just came about, and now it's my responsibility."

I laughed through tears. "So, my rejection is the real problem?"

He tugged at his tie, avoiding my gaze. "If you had accepted me sooner, none of this would have happened."

I clenched my fists, raising my voice. "Jeff died because of your affair, and I'm supposed to calmly accept you and your mistress? And help you raise your illegitimate children?"

After a long silence, he spoke quietly. "Jeff's death has nothing to do with Mabel or Jonathan."

"So, it's my fault?" I retorted. "Your infidelity is also my issue? If you resent me so much, why didn't you just divorce me?"

Mabel looked up at him, hiding a flash of joy, but he bowed his head, silent.

Jonathan clutched Alain's leg and wailed, "Dad, I want to go home! She is so mean. I don't like her. I just want to be with you and Mom."

Alain glanced at me with mixed feelings and gently patted Jonathan. "Go home with your mom. I'll visit soon and bring your favorite toys."

Jonathan clutched more tightly, unwilling to let go. "I don't want toys. I just want you and Mom. You said that I'm your favorite in the whole world. Was that a lie?"

Mabel looked pained, gently tugging at him. "Come on, sweetheart. Let's not disturb them anymore."

He shrugged her off, crying, "No, this is my dad! Why do you want to separate us?"

Alain's fingers trembled, and he bent down to embrace Jonathan.

I raised my hand to wipe my tears. "Let's just get a divorce. It's best for both of us."

With feigned anxiety, Mabel pulled Jonathan from Alain's arms and apologized to me profusely, "I'm truly sorry. Jonathan is too little to understand. Please don't hold it against him. I never wanted to ruin your family. Just please let him see his dad once in a while."

I watched with cold detachment. When I didn't budge, she amped up her act. "Please don't divorce Alain. You are his whole world; he cannot live without you. Jonathan and I don't matter."

She clutched Jonathan protectively, but I remained silent. In a flash, she grabbed him and slapped his bottom hard. "If you're not satisfied, I'll help you get even!"

Jonathan wailed, "Mom, don't hit me! I'm sorry. I shouldn't have clung to Dad."

Mabel choked back her tears, but her slap grew harder. "This is what happens when you misbehave!"

Alain snatched him away. "What are you doing? Don't hit the child!"

Mabel glared. "Will you do it again?"

Jonathan ran back to her and clutched her hand. "Mom, I won't do it again."

"Good. Now stop crying," Mabel consoled him, cautiously turning to me. "Feels better now?"

Her apologies and Jonathan's sobs blended, creating a cacophony that made my head throb and my belly ache worse.

Alain glared at me. "Had enough of this circus?"

Cold sweat beaded on my forehead as the pain left me breathless. I couldn't utter a sound.

Jonathan peeked from behind Mabel, his voice trembling. "Dad, if you have more children, would you cast me aside? I don't eat much, and I can serve them. Please don't abandon me. I'll behave."

Alain's heart nearly broke. He ruffled Jonathan's hair. "Don't worry. I'll always love you."

Mabel looked exhausted. "Marie, please don't bring up divorce again. You're Alain's one and only love."

"What, playing the long game now?" I retorted, biting back the pain. "Didn't you ask him to divorce me and marry you? Now that you can finally take my place, you want to give up? Drop the act."

Her face paled. "No, I never thought that way."

Mid-sentence, she swayed and passed out.

Alain reacted quickly, catching her just in time. His pupils contracted in alarm as he lifted her into his arms.

"Mom!" Jonathan cried out.

Alain glared at me, seething with rage. "Marie Owen! How could you treat a pregnant woman like this? If anything happens to her, I'll make you pay!"

With that, he took Jonathan by the hand and carried Mabel out. I slid down the table to the floor, staring at the spreading pool of blood.

In my fading consciousness, I summoned my last ounce of strength to pull out my phone and call someone I hadn't spoken to in ages.

"Uncle Erik, save me. I-I want to go home," I muttered, my voice barely a whisper. "I want to reclaim everything I've given Alain."