Chapter 3My Student Stole My Husband So I Married His Uncle

“I came here for a solemn reason, not to play a silly game of you-run-I-chase.”

As my cold laugh faded, Owen’s face darkened instantly.

“Do you think I’d forget whether or not I signed divorce papers?” He sneered.

“Lydia, a few days ago you tried to use our daughter to manipulate me. Now, you’ve stooped to this flimsy trick?”

Hearing him mention Winnie, my heart was instantly pierced. I took an angry step forward.

“My daughter? You have the audacity to mention our daughter?”

“I asked you, why didn’t you answer my calls?”

“I sent you messages that our daughter was hurt! You saw them, so why didn’t you reply?!”

“Do you have any idea that she was asking when her father was coming home right before she died!!!”

With every word, I lost more control. By the end, my eyes were blazing red, my body trembling uncontrollably.

But Owen still looked at me with disdain, even a flicker of the caution reserved for a madwoman.

“The same lie didn’t work once, so you think twice or three times will do it?”

“Lydia, do you honestly think I’m an idiot?”

“If our daughter had really died, with your temperament, you’d have gone with her. How could you be standing here looking perfectly fine?”

Phoebe, pretending concern, reached out to support my arm.

“Yes, Professor Winters. You know how much Owen cares for Winnie. How could you think of such a thing to trick him?”

“I know you blame me for taking his affection, but tactics like this are exactly how you destroy whatever affection he has left for you.”

I violently threw off Phoebe’s hand.

“Get away from me! Save your fake pity!”

My daughter was gone. What good was a man’s hollow, transient affection?

I didn't think I'd used much force, but Phoebe stumbled and fell dramatically to the ground.

“My back! Owen!”

SMACK! A sudden, searing pain on my cheek.

I clutched my rapidly swelling face, staring dumbfounded at the person who had hit me.

Owen seemed surprised, too, that he had actually struck me. His expression was momentarily rigid, a flicker of remorse crossing his features. He started to reach for me.

But the moment he moved, Phoebe on the floor immediately clasped her abdomen.

“It hurts! My stomach…”

Owen’s attention snapped immediately to her. Watching him cradle Phoebe, murmuring reassurances, I gave a sharp, bitter laugh.

I turned to leave, but Owen’s voice stopped me.

“Hold it right there!”

I turned back, my expression empty.

“You shoved Phoebe. You think you can just walk away?”

His eyes were freezing.

“Apologize to Phoebe. Now.”

My anger, fueled by his reversed accusation, boiled over into a fierce, mocking smile.

“And if I refuse?”

We stood in a silent stalemate. Eventually, Phoebe tugged on Owen’s sleeve.

“I’m much better, honey. Don’t force Professor Winters. I just lost my footing.”

Hearing that, Owen’s fury towards me intensified.

“You’re such a disappointment, Lydia. Phoebe is ten years younger than you, yet she has more common sense than you do.”

“It seems I protected you too well these past few years, so much that you forgot your place!”

“Phoebe will still be coming back with me this time. I’ll have her teach you a thing or two about respect.”

I scoffed. All those words were just a clumsy setup to take Phoebe back home. He looked like a gentleman, a successful corporate executive, but he was nothing more than a poisonous snake in a polished suit.

Owen took Phoebe and headed to the top floor.

I had planned to switch hotels. But outside, the snow had turned into a sudden, vicious blizzard. Reluctantly, I checked in. I prayed the weather would clear tomorrow.

Because tomorrow was Winnie’s seven-day memorial. I needed to bury her ashes on the highest point of the Alps to fulfill her final, unachieved wish.