The City Hall

Bryce took me to the Office to register the baby as his son at 10 a.m.

Selina put on a show of motherly affection and reached for the baby as soon as we got out of the car.

Alas, the baby started wailing the moment she took him into her arms. So, she immediately shoved him back at me and whined to Bryce, "Bryce, look at her! Look at how she's been raising him? He drooled all over me!"

Bryce wrapped an arm around her waist and hurried to comfort her. When he turned to me, his expression turned cold as he berated me, "Jessica, I told you that Selina is his legal mother. It's absurd that you've taught him not to recognize her as his mother!"

The baby quieted the minute he returned to my arms.

"He can't stand the smell of perfume," I replied calmly.

Selina's face darkened as she retorted, "Ugh, I've never heard that babies are so delicate that they can't even tolerate perfume. Plus, this is a limited-edition perfume Bryce had specially brought back from overseas. One bottle costs hundreds of thousands.

"It's not something that someone like you could ever afford."

Bryce adored her spoiled behavior as he kissed the corner of her lips and murmured, "Why waste your time arguing with her? I'll have someone get you another bottle if you like it so much."

Only then did Selina reluctantly drop the subject. She glared at me disdainfully before trotting off to touch up her makeup.

The moment she was gone, Bryce said to me in a low voice, "Jessica, I know you're upset, but you need to understand my position. The Newton family is not some run-of-the-mill family, and I'm their only heir. I can't just marry any woman.

"Selina is the second daughter of the Paxen family, so we're a perfect match socially. It'll benefit the child's future too. Besides, I'm allowing you to keep his custody, am I not?" He sounded utterly done with me. The cheek of him!

I met his gaze and said, "Bryce, I cut ties with my family for you."

"I know, but I haven't treated you badly all these years, have I? Besides, you've got nowhere else to go, and nobody wants you. Why not stay here and work as the baby's nanny? You can look after the child whenever you want. Everybody wins."

I never imagined he would say something so shameless.

Just then, Selina returned from fixing her makeup, and we went inside to handle the paperwork. Unfortunately, the staff informed us that the system was down, and any guardianship transfer would have to wait another three days.

Selina was worried that something would go awry if we tarried, so she insisted that I sign the agreement immediately.

I didn't hesitate to sign it.

Bryce and Selina exchanged satisfied glances and planned to see a movie together, leaving me to take the baby home alone.

"Bryce." I stopped him before he could leave.

I wanted to ask him whether all those years of kindness had only been because he needed me to give him a son.

However, Selina suddenly exclaimed before I could say anything, "Look! That bride's veil is gorgeous. I should have worn one when we registered our marriage."

Bryce followed her gaze and smiled.

"Do you like it? I'll buy you an even prettier one when we get married."

She slipped her arm through his and replied, "Okay. Last summer was way too hot anyway. It'd be so uncomfortable if I wore a veil then."

My heart sank when I heard their conversation.

Last summer was when I had just discovered I was pregnant. Bryce had hired an entire team of specialists to protect the pregnancy. He told me we would register our marriage as soon as the baby was born. He had been the personification of the sun throughout my pregnancy.

I thought my suffering was finally over. I thought I was finally going to marry the man I loved.

Only now did I understand that his excitement had never been about my pregnancy. It was because he had succeeded in marrying the woman he truly loved.

Then, Bryce looked at me and snapped with irritation, "Don't tell me you can't even afford a taxi."

I closed my eyes briefly before replying blandly, "Yeah. Give me some money."

Selina immediately tore her eyes away from me in disgust.

Bryce seemed embarrassed by me as well. So, he quickly transferred a few hundred to me before leaving with her without another word.

Shortly after, another car pulled up outside.

I climbed inside with my baby. The man in the back seat took the child from my arms and studied him for a moment. Then, he handed the baby back and instructed the driver to go to the city hall.

By the time we walked out, we had registered our marriage and officially registered the baby.

Then, we returned to the Newton family's manor.

The man was a man of action instead of words, so he had already arranged a room for the baby and me. At the same time, a nanny was also assigned to help me. He had taken care to provide for any necessity for the child, from diapers to formula and everything in between.

####CHAPTER-NAME:

Give Me Back My Child

Bryce suddenly shot me a text after dinner. I thought he was calling me to question where I had taken the baby. To my surprise, I opened the chat to find two instructions.

"Selina and I won't be coming back tonight. Take good care of the baby."

The Newton family's annual banquet is tomorrow. Bring the baby here before 10 p.m. Don't forget that you're our nanny now. You can forget about ever seeing the child again if you're late or if you run your mouth."

I looked up at the antique furnishings and elegant décor of the estate around me before happily replying with a single word, "Okay."

'Don't worry. Not only would I not be late, but I would also arrive before either of you,' I thought inwardly.

I put on an elegant dress on the day of the Newton family's annual banquet. I dressed my child in a bright colour silk romper and stood on the second-floor balcony overlooking the grand hall below.

Today's gathering included not only members of the Newton family's extended branches but also many prominent figures from elite society.

Bryce and Selina had already arrived. One was dressed in a bespoke suit, while the other was in a long gown.

They moved through the crowd hand-in-hand, accepting compliments and congratulations.

"You must be Mrs. Newton! You two are truly a perfect match!"

Selina smiled gracefully and raised her glass.

"You're too kind. We're also grateful for everyone's support of Bryce's business. I hope we'll have many opportunities to work together in the future."

The guests eagerly echoed their agreement. Beside Selina, Bryce watched with pride and affection in his eyes.

Suddenly, someone asked loudly, "By the way, didn't Mrs. Newton give birth to the family's first grandson? Why didn't you bring him today?"

Bryce's smile didn't even waver the slightest as he replied, "The baby's still very young. He'd only cry in an environment like this. However, I did tell the nanny to bring him over. My father is always busy and rarely returns home.

"Since he's finally back, he should at least meet his grandson."

The crowd nodded approvingly upon hearing his answer.

A moment later, I got his message.

"Where are you? I told you not to be late. Why haven't you arrived yet?"

I shifted the baby to one arm and was about to reply when hurried footsteps suddenly echoed up the staircase.

Selina came rushing upstairs. Bryce followed close behind with an irritated look on his face.

Since there were so many people downstairs, he lowered his voice and said, "Good thing my dad isn't here yet. Otherwise, you'd have gotten us all killed. My dad hates tardiness."

Only then did he notice my dress. Then, his eyes lit up.

"When did you buy this dress? I've never seen you wear it before."

The expression on Selina's face immediately stiffened. She immediately stepped in between us.

"How can you wear something like that? You're our nanny, not the lady of the house."

Bryce snapped back to reality and frowned upon hearing her remark.

"Selina's right. This is the Newton family's annual banquet. People will think our family uncouth if they see a nanny dressed to the nines." Then, he extended his hands toward the baby. "Give the child to Selina and leave through the back entrance."

Selina reached forward to snatch the baby from my arms the second those words fell from his lips.

I tightened my grip and turned away.

"No one touches my child."

"Jessica!" Bryce barked sharply. "Did you forget what I told you? You'll never see this child again if you keep this up!" Then, he grabbed hold of the baby's blanket himself.

My expression turned cold as I yanked it back and turned toward the stairs.

I'd only taken a few steps when Bryce seized the back of my collar and dragged me backward. The fabric tightened around my throat, and pain shot through my neck. I could barely breathe.

I struggled to keep one arm around my son as I swung my free hand behind me, trying to pry Bryce off. At the same time, Selina rushed forward and grabbed the baby's arm.

"No... Let go of my baby..."

Just as they were seconds away from tearing him out of my arms, a nearby nanny noticed the commotion and cried out, "Mrs. Newton! Young Master!"

The title made Selina's eyes flash with malice, and her long nails dug cruelly into the baby's tender skin.

"Did she just call you Mrs. Newton? No wonder you dressed like this. You were actually trying to—"

"Bryce! Let go of your mother and your brother!" A furious command exploded from behind them.

My baby burst into tears at that exact moment.

Bryce froze and sucked in a sharp breath right after.