His Mistress’ Birthday, His Last Warning

Maris wakes to a battered five-year-old son and a husband, Alaric Stroud, who once confessed his love to her just yesterday—though for him, six years have passed. He calls to say he is spending his birthday with Tahlia, warning he will not return even if she beats the boy to death. Cane in hand, Maris follows him to the party.

At the banquet, Alaric stands beside Tahlia Gray, who clings to his arm and invites Maris to stay. Whispers call Maris a dangerous madwoman. When Tahlia mentions Emilio, Maris cracks her whip across Tahlia's face, then lashes Alaric. She slams Tahlia into the cake and stabs Alaric's hand, while her son Soren watches.

Alaric threatens divorce and calls her unfit to be a mother. Tahlia, touching her belly, claims she too carries his child. Maris grabs her hair and plunges the knife into her womb, teaching Soren how to handle unexpected hazards.