Chapter 4

Julian couldn’t see it, but I could.

Not a homewrecker?

I found it utterly absurd, laughable!

Then what about the countless times she tracked me down, shamelessly telling me that my pregnancy was just a temporary inconvenience, that I was simply ‘warming up the bed’ for her, and even the children I birthed would eventually call *her* 'Mom'?

What did *that* count as?

She moved into my home under the pathetic excuse of being sick and alone.

She openly flirted with Julian at the dinner table, so shamelessly that even our housekeeper, Mrs. Davis, couldn't stand it and made a few pointed, sarcastic comments.

Seraphina immediately ran to Julian, complaining that Mrs. Davis hadn't washed the groceries properly, giving her a stomach bug, and demanded she be fired.

Back then, I had no appetite due to my pregnancy, and Mrs. Davis's cooking was the only thing I could stomach.

Out of politeness, I approached her and offered to hire a private chef just for her. Her response was a stinging slap across my face.

“It doesn't matter if the food is good or not; what matters is knowing who the real lady of this house is! Iris, I want you to understand: there's only one Mrs. Blackwood, and that's *me*, Seraphina Hayes!”

To further prove she would be Mrs. Blackwood, she huddled in Julian's arms, whimpering like a kitten.

She tearfully wailed about her misfortune, how she was cursed not to be able to bear him children.

And seeing me, with my swollen belly, every day was bound to make her feel disheartened and sad.

“I’ve tried my best to avoid Iris, but it’s impossible not to see her every day! Maybe I should just move out! Seraphina is so unhappy living in such constant pain!”

Julian's temper snapped. His face contorted into a cold, menacing mask as he lunged forward and slapped me so hard I stumbled and fell to the floor.

“You *know* Seraphina gets distressed every time she sees a pregnant woman, yet you insist on parading your huge belly in front of her all day long! What exactly are you trying to accomplish?!”

“You vile, wicked woman! You don’t deserve to be a mother! Today, I’m locking you in the attic! Let's see how you like a taste of real hardship!”

Several bodyguards grabbed my limbs, dragging and tossing me into the dusty, desolate attic.

“The doctor told me to go to the hospital to deliver *today*! If I’m at the hospital, she won’t even *see* me!”

I clawed desperately at the doorframe, begging through choking sobs.

Julian sneered, “Even your lies need to be consistent. Your due date isn’t for another three days!”

He ignored my desperate pleas, slamming the door shut with brutal force.

My fingers were brutally caught in the frame, the searing pain making me arch my back and snatch my hand away, silencing any further words.

Julian looked on, a flicker of satisfaction in his eyes, before locking the attic door.

Meanwhile, back in the guest room, Julian and Seraphina were still lost in their passionate embrace, demanding from each other, when Mr. Davis came running, breathless, his voice trembling with panic:

“Madam... Madam is gone!”

“Gone?!”

Julian snapped his head up, an irritated frown on his face, clearly annoyed by the interruption.

Mr. Davis wiped the sweat from his forehead, his voice shaky: “The attic is covered in blood... Madam... she...”

He couldn't bring himself to finish.