After I left the hospital, I went straight to the main office of the Pearson family business, now handled by the Wilkinson family.

Since my parents died, the Pearson family had kept its business barely going.

The size wasn’t like before, but a few key parts were still kept.

I stayed in the meeting room, laying out every document one by one.

All the help the Wilkinson family gave over the years, I listed each part clearly, getting ready to give everything back.

And the assets of the Pearson family, I would take them back fully.

Not just for me, but also for my child.

Even if leaving the Wilkinson family, she still must grow up well and properly.

After the secretary completed signing the final document, she asked quietly, “President Pearson, either the film and television department or the advertising department must give up to settle this, which one do you plan to keep?”

I didn’t reply right away, but chose to go see the recording studio first.

That place was the main center of the film and television department, and it was also the place I knew best.

My dream before was to become a host.

But after I married into the Wilkinson family, their rule said Mrs. Wilkinson couldn’t appear in public.

It was Adrian who told me I could create a recording studio that belonged to me, make podcasts, and show my ability without showing my face.

So during those years, I quietly made podcasts, slowly bringing the film and television department and my show to the front of the industry.

Each wall there, every light, had been arranged by Adrian and me together.

It was also the place where we spent time together and stayed for a long period.

He was my first viewer, first listener, and also my first supporter.

“President Pearson, wait a second.”

While I was thinking about the past, someone suddenly stopped me.

The recording studio felt cold. Adrian stood in the middle, his face serious and striking.

And across from him, Amira moved in a soft dance.

He looked at her, like he was looking at his goddess.

After I found out I had arrived, Adrian had someone send me a message, saying he wanted to use the recording studio for a while.

“President Wilkinson said don’t get upset, he said he’s shooting a show and needs this place.”

The warmth in my chest from earlier thoughts quickly turned cold.

Adrian really knew how to pick, taking the recording studio we worked hardest on as a place for his lover.

I pulled back my eyes and faced the secretary.

“Keep the film and television department.”

If the film and television department stayed with Adrian, sooner or later it would turn into a step for Amira in his hands!

I wouldn’t let him ruin this place for another woman.

Over the next two days, I almost didn’t pay any attention to Adrian anymore.

The baby couldn’t be left alone, so I looked after her while dealing with papers.

But Adrian was still all over the place.

The trending searches were full of him and Amira.

The heat of the dating show kept going up.

The newest part was the last part where they shared feelings on the show.

Adrian reserved a whole sea area, fireworks went up from the water, one after another, lasting three full hours.

They kissed under the fireworks, and people online said it looked like the main couple in a story.

People outside were guessing if Amira would be the next Mrs. Wilkinson; people around were guessing how many days I’d last before I lost control.

But no one knew the spot of Mrs. Wilkinson. I didn’t want it anymore for a long time.

On my birthday, I dressed myself up with care.

At today’s banquet, besides marking my birthday, I also wanted to reach new partners and work with the Pearson family, so I didn’t focus on enjoyment.

During the first part of the banquet, Adrian didn’t show up, and I wasn’t surprised at all.

In the middle, I passed the baby to the nanny and turned to walk to the restroom.

But when I returned, I saw that Amira and Adrian had come to the banquet.

And in Amira’s arms was my baby!

She bent her head and played with the baby, her long nails pressing the baby’s face again and again.

She held the baby not firmly, like she was playing with a fun toy.

My head rang.

Without thinking, I ran over.

“Move back, who let you touch her!”

I pulled the baby back in one move.

The baby got hurt by Amira’s nails and started crying right away.

On her arm, there was a light blood line left by the nails!

I held back my anger and let the nanny take the baby to calm her.

After the baby went away, my chest moved up and down fast, staring at Adrian, my voice almost yelling,

“Adrian, didn’t I tell you, those dirty things outside, don’t bring them in front of the baby!”

Amira was pulled by me and lost her balance, then fell straight to the floor.

“Sister-in-law, I only felt the baby was lovely and wanted to carry her, why shove me?”

“Today is your birthday, I came just to celebrate with you…”

Adrian’s face turned dark. He quickly walked over and helped her stand. “Does it hurt?”

After making sure she was alright, he lifted his head and looked at me.

Adrian’s eyes looked very heavy and scary.

“Eloise, Amira only wanted to get near the baby. Did you have to hurt her?”

When he said that, he didn’t even glance at the baby.

He only moved to protect Amira.

“I thought these past two days you really started to act better, didn’t expect you’re still like this.”

“Today is your birthday. Amira prepared a dance for you, wanting to make you happy.”

“But in the end, you won’t even let her stay here.”

“When did you turn so selfish?”

I felt very mad, so I laughed loudly instead.

“Adrian, go outside and check how many performers want to join my birthday party, your partner dancing for me, should I thank you for that?”

“You say that I only think about myself.”

“So, you're bringing your mistress to my birthday, isn't it selfish? You think I should kindly welcome that woman back and take care of her?!”

Adrian clearly did not think I would talk to him like this in front of others; his expression quickly turned cold.

“Eloise, you really are unbelievable. Now you even speak against me in front of everyone! You are nowhere near as reasonable as Amira!”

He could not win the argument, angrily placed his arm around Amira’s shoulder, and left.

I breathed in deeply, holding back the worry of wanting to see the child, saying sorry, making small talk, and sending the guests away one by one.

After everyone had fully left, the smile on my face slowly faded away.

I quickly moved toward the baby's room, hoping to get some comfort from the child.

But the nursery had no one inside!

And the helper who was about to enter was also not holding the baby.

A bad feeling rose up at once.

“Where is my child?”

I asked the nanny with teary eyes. “I told you to stay with her, where did she go?!”

The nanny’s face turned white right away, and she started to speak with breaks.

“M-Ma’am, the baby…”

“It was, sir, he said you cannot care for a child well, your feelings are not calm, it will affect the child’s nature…”

“For these days the baby will stay with him, and you… should think about yourself.”

I stood still, and even breathing felt hard.

After I came back to my senses, I quickly tried to reach Adrian’s staff, his assistant, but every message got no reply.

Adrian stayed away from me on purpose. For now, I had no way to know where he went.

Just as I was about to break down, my phone showed that last extra live stream of the dating show.

When I noticed what the live video showed, anger rose in my eyes at once.

On screen, Adrian told everyone the baby was given by the show team so they could practice caring for a child.

I watched Amira, next to him, give the baby a small cookie. The baby was just one month old, and even drinking was hard, but it was pushed into her mouth, and she cried loudly in pain.

The milk formula I asked someone to make was spread all over the floor, then Amira picked it up carelessly and kept mixing it.

She gave it to the baby, but it was too hot, and the baby refused to drink. She even gave the baby’s own bottle to a dog!

Amira also placed the baby on the floor, letting her stay with a big dog. The floor was cold and dirty, and her clothes quickly became messy!

Adrian, on screen, still showed a pleased smile. “See how joyful the baby is.”

Joyful?

I looked at the screen, my eyes felt hot.

How can she be happy?

Her face clearly showed fear!

The last small hope in my heart that “Adrian might be a good dad” fully broke.

That was the baby I kept safe with care, scared she might get hit or hurt.

The precious child I slowly raised with love!

But in Adrian’s view, she was only a “thing” he could easily bring to the show to flirt with!

I almost lost control and ran straight to the hotel where the show group stayed.

The front desk saw me, their expression changed a little, and the assistant quickly ran after me to stop me.

“Mrs. Wilkinson, now is really not the right time…”

I shoved the person aside and rushed straight to the room door.

I kicked the door open.

What was inside came into sight right away.

The air felt strange, clothes were thrown around, and everything looked messy.

Adrian’s clothes were not neat, and his face showed anger from being interrupted. Amira stayed in his arms, her face red, her look uneasy.

My sight went dark for a second, but I made myself stay standing.

My voice shook as I asked, “Adrian!”

“Where is my baby? Where did you take my baby?!”

Amira looked scared, quickly hiding in Adrian’s arms.

“Sister-in-law, please don’t get mad. I thought brother brought the baby to the show to build a bond with the baby, did he not tell you?”

“If I knew before, I would have told him to bring the baby back, ah, that milk formula, was it for the baby to drink? I thought brother bought it for the dog, so I gave it to the dog…”

My head hurts. Before I could talk, I heard Adrian give a small laugh. “Why are you saying all that to her?”

He lifted his eyes to face me, his eyes cold with no warmth.

“As the baby’s dad, what is wrong with me building a bond with the baby?”

“No need to say sorry to her, the milk formula had no words saying it is for the baby, what is wrong with giving it to the dog? Do not blame yourself, you did nothing bad.”

What was wrong with giving it to the dog?

What was wrong?!

My voice almost came out with force from my throat.

“Adrian, do you know that milk formula was made just…”

“Stop, how long will you keep making trouble? Look at you now, like a loud woman from the street.”

“Do you think we are not ashamed enough already?”

Adrian cut me off; his eyes showed a bit of harshness, he touched Amira’s cheek, and slowly spoke.

“And is this not because of you? Yesterday, you thought Amira could not care for the baby and pushed her aside, making her look bad in public.”

“So I let the baby stay with Amira more so she can learn how to care for a baby, what is wrong with that?”

I caused this?

Just because I made his mistress feel ashamed, he treats the baby like this?

I couldn’t stop myself from stumbling.

My chest seemed like a heavy rock pushed on it, going down bit by bit.

I’d always believed that when it came to the kid, Adrian had some limit.

No matter how messy he acted, how careless, he wouldn’t treat the kid like a joke.

But then I understood I’d been too innocent.

If even he could, just because I upset Amira, take the kid and hand her off to someone like a plaything.

Then later on, would things turn even worse?

My heart slowly turned cold, and fear wrapped around my thoughts.

Adrian held the sleeping kid and walked out.

“The baby is my daughter, with me here, would I treat her badly?”

“It’s only milk powder, it’s not like I can’t pay for it, if the dog drank it, then just get more, and our baby isn’t that fragile, right?”

He played with the baby, then lightly touched my head.

“Okay.”

Adrian’s voice sounded relaxed.

“The payment for taking the baby won’t be small for you.”

I pulled away from his hand, held the child tight with shaking arms, like I’d gotten something precious back, and I couldn’t stop my tears in the end.

I just felt that the man before me was very strange, very strange.

The Adrian from earlier kept himself neat; we’d grown up together, loved each other first, both simple and pure.

This last year, Adrian tried many times to play around, but all were stopped by me in a strict way.

About the condom, before, I tried to act like I didn’t notice.

Even though I’d already made up my mind to divorce, I still couldn’t accept that Adrian

had hurt both my body and feelings.

But now, I saw the messy black stockings in the room, saw the birth control pills near the bed.

I couldn’t keep denying that Adrian had already turned unclean; he wasn’t the same Adrian from before.

My stomach turned, and I just felt very sick.

I didn’t want to lose control, so I turned around and walked away.

After I came back, I slowly moved my and the child’s things to the home I’d bought overseas.

Adrian started giving me money for my “compliance”, sending it over; the sums were very big.

Different presents also started being delivered to the house.

Like this could cover up his guilt for cheating.

I took everything and then sold it for money.

That was what he was meant to give from the start; the more he sent, the better.

I didn’t fight, didn’t cause issues, didn’t go to Adrian anymore, didn’t care about him anymore.

He instead started acting like a “good dad”.

Sometimes when he returned home, he wanted to carry the child.

But I always found ways to pull the child away, not letting him come near.

Until now, Adrian had never asked what the child’s name was. What kind of good dad was he pretending to be?

I bent my head to look at the child in my arms, gently asked her, “Baby, do you hate mommy?”

The child, of course, didn’t understand, but smiled at me.

At that time, my nose felt sore, and I hugged her more tightly.

At the same moment, parts of the dating show live stream started spreading fast.

Someone saved the part where Amira gave the baby a cookie.

Someone enlarged the clip of the milk powder dropping to the floor and being picked up again.

There were also people who kept cutting the part where the baby was put on the floor to play with the dog.

The comments section burst.

“This is too much, right? Such a tiny baby can eat this?”

“The milk powder dropped on the floor and was picked up again?”

“That woman even gave the milk powder to a dog?”

Soon, someone found out that Adrian was married.

Right after that, the clip from five years earlier was also found.

A helicopter stayed in the sky.

Rose petals dropped from above.

“This was the way Adrian chased Mrs. Wilkinson before.”

“Even more over the top than now.”

The comments area was full of angry voices.

“So this is cheating, wow, even joining a dating show to cheat, you rich people, I can’t get it?”

“What kind of show is this?”

I read those comments, and my fingers stopped for a moment.

If it had been before, I would’ve at once asked people to take down the trending topic and hold down the public talk.

At any price, keep the Wilkinson family’s name and shares safe.

But now I didn’t do anything.

There was one comment, pushed very high.

“Love can change. Childhood lovers, how many can beat someone who comes later?”

I looked at that line for a long time.

Yes.

If back then, I hadn’t married Adrian so soon.

Now he would also be drawn to the so-called new person, right? Maybe this had been meant from the start.

There were three days left until the divorce.

That day was Thanksgiving; this year, the Thanksgiving show in Daly City was handled by our company.

This had been a plan that Adrian and I had done together for two years.

We’d once put in a lot of work for it; every show list, every act was chosen after a long time of thinking.

And the most important thing was that day I would present my podcast show in front of everyone.

That would be my first time showing up before the crowd; I’d been waiting for that day very much.

But just one hour before, I went up on stage at the Thanksgiving show.

I got a message that my show had been taken off by force.

At the same time, the screen in the broadcast room showed the scene, in the middle of the large stage, where Amira held Adrian’s hand and walked onto the stage.