Realizing she'd been a bit too harsh with her comment, Ashley hurriedly tried to smooth things over. "Don't be mad, honey. Nate is just worried about the baby. By the way, when is the photographer getting here?"

I looked at Nathan, who was sitting on the couch, playing with Bella. "Why isn't he leaving yet?"

He shot me a glance before provoking me by planting a kiss on Bella to stake his claim.

"Nate is going to take a few photos with Bella too," Ashley said nonchalantly.

I threw the cup in my hand.

Ashley immediately flew into a rage. "What's your problem, Henry? What's wrong with a father taking some photos with his baby? What makes you think you can stop that? Bella's already taking your last name. She'll be calling you dad in the future, so what more do you want?"

The screams frightened Bella, who started crying. Nathan quickly patted her on the back to comfort her. Ashley also hurried over to check on Bella, doing her best to calm her down.

The photographer happened to enter the house at that very moment, and he took a photo of the three of them.

"What a lovely scene. This photo perfectly captures the blissful moment shared between the happy family of three. Mommy and Daddy should get a little cozier with each other and move closer to the baby," he said.

Without the slightest hesitation, Ashley and Nathan followed the photographer's directions, leaning in closer and closer together.

I couldn't hold back anymore, roaring, "That's enough! Ashley, have you no shame?"

That ruined the sweet atmosphere, making Ashley frown. She grabbed me to the corner and hissed, "Henry! We shouldn't be airing the family's scandals in public. Do you want the entire neighborhood to find out that Bella's not actually your daughter? Why can't a grown man like you be more sensible?"

She didn't even bother waiting for a response from me before going back to the couch to take a family portrait with Nathan and Bella.

I stormed out of the house.

Even after the sun had set, not once did Ashley call me.

By the time I got home, the photographer had already left. But when I opened the bedroom door, Nathan was actually lying on my side of the bed.

Seeing that I'd returned, Ashley said softly, "Nate is staying here to accompany the baby. You can sleep in the guest bedroom tonight."

Nathan saw the grim look on my face and said with feigned magnanimity, "That wouldn't be appropriate. I'm the outsider here. Let me take the guest bedroom instead."

Ashley quickly grabbed him. "This should've been your spot, to begin with. He owes it to you."

She eyed me resentfully and declared, "Henry, Nate only broke up with me because he knew you'd been in love with me for years and wanted to give you a chance. He allowed himself to be labeled as a scumbag just for your sake.

"All he wants to do now is spend a few days with his daughter, yet you can't even let him do that. Well, that gives me no reason to show you any consideration either."

Hiding behind Ashley, Nathan shot me a taunting smirk.

I hadn't expected that he could still fool Ashley so easily with some empty words even after so many years. But since that was the case, it was time for me to let go.

"I see. In that case, I'll step aside so that you three can live happily ever after as a family. Meet me at the courthouse tomorrow. We'll file for divorce."

I turned around and left.

Ashley stormed out of the bedroom to come after me, snapping angrily, "At the end of the day, Nate is Bella's father, Henry! Once he leaves, I'll make it up to you."

I stopped in my tracks and looked at her, baffled by how her mind worked.

"I don't need you to make it up to me. Let's just end things here and go our separate ways. You and Nathan can do whatever you want."

Ashley had never seen me act this way before. She finally lost her temper.

"Henry! I'm already lowering myself to appease you now. Why can't you just put yourself in my shoes and understand my predicament?"

What predicament was she referring to? The fact that she wanted me to raise the child she had with another man?

It was honestly absurd. What a fool I'd been to cherish her all these years.

Not wanting to hear any more of her nonsense, I headed for the door. She quickly tried to chase after me, only to aggravate her still-recovering body.

"Henry! It hurts!" she cried out in pain.

Hearing that, Nathan ran out of the master bedroom—bare-chested—and carried her back inside. And she didn't even show the slightest intention of refusing him.

It seemed to me that all she wanted was simply someone to keep her company. Who that person was didn't matter.

Now that I knew what I was to her, I got my phone out and called my lawyer. "Mr. Harding, prepare a divorce agreement for me."

…

Before leaving, I had to do one last thing. I had to transfer Elyse Madden, my comatose younger sister, to a different hospital.

After Ashley and I got married, Elyse adored her new sister-in-law and treated her like a real sister.

Later on, one of Ashley's business rivals set up an ambush for her. Elyse ended up taking the bullet in Ashley's place. Once a young woman in the prime of her youth, she was now reduced to a vegetative state, confined to a bed in a private hospital owned by the Chase family.

Since Ashley and I were getting divorced, I needed to make new arrangements for Elyse as well.

That night, I fell asleep beside her hospital bed.

The door flew open early the next morning, catching me completely off guard.

Ashley walked in with several bodyguards dressed in black. Her usual gentle expression was replaced with icy fury. Without even looking at me, she commanded the nurse, "Take her off the ventilator."

The nurse's hands trembled in fright. She stood still, too scared to move.

Two bodyguards immediately stepped forward and grabbed me, one on each side.

"Ashley! Have you lost your mind? Let me go!" I struggled desperately. "That's my sister! What right do you have to turn off her ventilator?"

Ashley finally turned to look at me, her gaze icy. "Stop acting like you don't know why I'm doing this, Henry! Where are you hiding Nate and Bella?"

I froze. "Nathan Jones? I've been here in the hospital ever since I left the house yesterday. I haven't seen him at all!"

Ashley let out a cold laugh. "How dare you try to claim innocence when you were caught on the surveillance camera? How could you lay your hands on a baby? Do you even have a conscience? Looks like you won't tell the truth if I don't teach you a lesson!"

Panicked, I teared up as I desperately pleaded with Ashley, "I didn't kidnap Nathan! You have to believe me. Don't forget that Elyse only ended up like this while trying to save you! You can't do this to her!"

A trace of hesitation flickered in Ashley's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by ruthless resolve.

She walked up to the bed and placed her hand on the tube connected to Elyse. "I don't care! If you don't tell me where Nate is, I'll make sure your sister dies with him!"

Just then, the door burst open, and Nathan stumbled in with Bella in his arms.

Ashley's face lit up with joy. "Nate! You're finally back!"

His eyes bloodshot, Nathan said, "I seized the chance to escape after Henry left, Ashley. I had to sneak out of the warehouse myself. I thought I'd never see you again!"

He turned to me and fell to his knees, tearfully begging, "Please, Henry. Have mercy on Bella and me. I know I've done you wrong. I should never have bothered Ashley. I should never have clung to my feelings for her. But Bella is innocent! I'll do whatever you want, so please don't hurt her. I'm begging you!"

Ashley's expression grew stormy. She stared at me with burning rage and screamed, "Heard that, Henry? How are you going to weasel your way out of this now, huh?"

She abruptly yanked on the tube, pulling it right out of Elyse.

"No!" I shouted at the top of my lungs, but the bodyguards firmly held me in place.

I watched as the monitor flatlined.

The piercing alarm echoed through the room. Elyse was no longer breathing.