Chapter 4Kneeling for a Child He Already Had

The welcome party was in full swing.

Gideon had invited friends and relatives from both families, along with every business partner of Tarrant Corp.

On the security feed, I watched him stand at the entrance with the baby in his arms while Amanda, in a red dress, nestled against his side.

The giant screen in the ballroom was looping photos of the two of them, from the day they met in college to their trips together, the pregnancy, and the birth.

Anyone who did not know better would have assumed they were the couple who had loved each other for years. As for me, I had become the other woman standing in the way of their love.

When someone asked whether Gideon was already married, Mom immediately sighed.

"Don't get me started. Hazel's been stubborn since she was little. She knew full well Gideon was in love with Mandy, and she still wouldn't leave him alone."

Dad chimed in to explain. "Gideon's softhearted, and he felt he owed our family. That's the only reason he stayed married to her for three years."

Jordan scoffed. "She's been hogging the title of Mrs. Tarrant long enough. It's time she handed it over to someone who actually deserves it."

The people around them nodded along. Some cursed me for clinging to a man who did not want me, while others praised Amanda for being so patient and gracious.

My own parents vouched for the story, my brother embellished it, and my husband let every word of it stand. That was how I, the one who had been betrayed, became the homewrecker everyone wanted to tear apart.

Before the party began, Gideon called. "Hazel, is it cold up on the mountain?"

I stood outside the ballroom and could hear his voice through the door. "It's cold."

"Then bundle up. Don't go wandering off, or everything you've been through will be for nothing."

I looked down at the gauze wrapped around my knees. "Gideon, do you really want me to have a baby?"

He was silent for a few seconds before his tone turned cold. "What's this about now? I haven't held it against you all these years. What more do you want?"

He had conspired with everyone to feed me birth control for three years and put me through hell. In the end, he made it sound like he had been doing me a favor.

"Nothing," I said softly. "Enjoy your night."

Inside the ballroom, the host invited the family onstage for a photo.

Gideon stood in the middle with the baby in his arms. Amanda held onto his arm, and my parents stood beside her. Once again, I was nowhere in the picture.

The host asked if the two of them had anything they wanted to say.

Amanda's eyes reddened slightly. "I've always believed that when two people truly love each other, they'll end up together no matter who stands in their way."

The room broke into applause.

"Mrs. Tarrant has been through so much!"

"Now that's what a real wife looks like."

Gideon did not correct them. Instead, he took her hand. "I'm sorry for everything you've had to put up with all these years."

Mom wiped away tears beside them. "Today, your family is finally together. No one is ever tearing you apart again."

I pushed the door open.

The ballroom fell silent at once.

I was still wearing the down jacket I had worn coming back from the mountain, and thick gauze was wrapped around my knees.

The smile froze on Gideon's face. Amanda instinctively pulled the baby closer to her chest.

Mom rushed over. "What are you doing back? Aren't you supposed to be fasting up on the mountain for three days?"

She did not ask about my injuries. She only glanced anxiously at Amanda.

Dad's expression darkened. "Everyone here tonight is somebody important. Don't embarrass us."

Jordan planted himself in front of Amanda and warned me in a low voice. "Mandy just had a baby. She can't handle this kind of stress. If you want to throw a fit, get lost and do it at home."

They were standing on my turf, holding my husband's illegitimate son, and telling me to get lost.

Gideon reached out for me. "Hazel, let me explain."

I stepped away from him and looked at the gold bracelet on the baby's wrist.

"A coworker's kid?" I asked.

Gideon went pale.

Amanda suddenly burst into tears. "Hazel, I'm sorry, but Gideon and I are the ones who truly love each other. You've kept him trapped for three years. Isn't that enough?"

Mom immediately shielded her. "That's enough!"

She raised her hand and slapped me. The crack of it rang through the ballroom. "Mandy has barely recovered from giving birth. Are you trying to drive her into the grave?"

My face burned, but I did not cry. I picked up the remote and pressed the button. Every screen around the room went black at once.

I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth and looked at Gideon, then at Amanda, who was sheltered behind my parents.

"This welcome party is over. Now it's my turn to give you all a gift."