With that, I picked Danny up and got into the car.

When Curtis saw him, a flicker of surprise crossed his face. "Ms. Lloyd, this is…"

"My son," I replied, gently brushing my fingers over Danny's chubby cheek and pulling him a little closer.

Curtis' eyes widened slightly upon hearing that, yet he didn't say anything further.

…

Curtis then drove us to the hotel where Roderick and Francesca had tied the knot six years ago.

Throughout their marriage, Roderick had spoiled her to no end. Whether it was her birthday or their anniversary, he always threw extravagant banquets.

This time, he had asked me to return. I figured it was to show me how successful Francesca had become, and to let me see how happy they were together. It was also an effort to make me give up on him for good.

As soon as I stepped out of the car, I saw Francesca waving at me.

In contrast to my pale, tired face, she looked every bit the pampered rich woman. Her expensive jewelry and clothes spoke volumes about Roderick's affection for her.

The moment Francesca saw Danny in my arms, her smile faltered.

She pointed at him with surprise and asked, "Sav, you had a baby overseas? Rick doesn't even know about it! I can't believe you kept this hidden so well!"

Before I could respond, Francesca started to tease Danny playfully. However, he didn't like strangers touching him and kept pulling away.

Seeing that, I quickly patted his back, trying to calm him.

The truth was, Francesca knew exactly how I felt about Roderick. But this time, I had no intention of engaging with either of them.

Francesca ignored Danny's discomfort and insisted on holding him.

As we approached the private room, Danny couldn't hold it in anymore and burst into tears.

I immediately reached for him. Francesca, on the other hand, forced a smile as she handed him back to me.

"Rick knows I'm afraid of pain," she stated. "Giving birth is tough, and he didn't want me to go through that. That's why we never had kids. Who would've thought that you had a son?"

As she spoke, she opened the door to the private room. Inside, several people were already seated.

I didn't feel like talking, so I made my way to the farthest corner of the room. But to my surprise, Francesca sat down right next to me.

Then, she wrapped her arm around my shoulder and enthusiastically introduced me and Danny to the others.

Unable to bear the awkward tension, I excused myself to go to the restroom.

When I returned, I overheard Francesca saying, "What do you mean she's a burden? Rick has been supporting Savannah for years. At this point, she's family.

"Besides, no one can change the fact that Rick's my husband. She was young and didn't know better. It's normal to have those feelings. But now, with a kid, I don't think there's anything left to worry about."

I stood by the door, listening quietly.

In the eyes of outsiders, I was the woman who had fallen for the man who could have been my uncle. To them, I was nothing but a freak, a woman who had disregarded moral boundaries.

At that moment, Danny tugged at my hand anxiously. I kissed him, and despite everything, walked back into the private room.

Now that those things were behind me, I should just face them calmly.

I didn't know how much time had passed. But suddenly, the door to the private room swung open.

"Mr. Campbell!"

Without hesitation, everyone in the room rushed forward to greet Roderick. I stayed in my seat, quietly listening to the exchange of pleasantries.

After a long while, I slowly lifted my head and looked at him. He hadn't changed much.

Dressed in an expensive suit, Roderick stood with Francesca clinging to his arm. There was nothing but warmth in the way they looked at each other.

With a crowd gathering around him, he didn't notice me sitting in the corner.

Even after all these years, Roderick was still the center of attention. He had a presence that drew every eye the moment he entered a room.

The only one who hadn't fared well in life was me.

Out of nowhere, Francesca beamed and gestured toward me. "Rick, Sav's here! You two haven't seen each other in years. You should catch up. Oh, and she brought a little surprise too."

Roderick showed no particular reaction to the word "surprise". Instead, he calmly ordered Francesca's favorite foie gras. Only then did he finally look at me.

Meanwhile, Danny tugged nervously at the hem of my shirt, clearly on edge.

It was obvious that Roderick saw him too. For a moment, his indifferent expression faltered and turned to shock.

"What's going on, Savannah?"

He was asking about Danny. I had never mentioned Danny to any of them. So, seeing me walk in with a child had clearly caught everyone off guard.

Their expression mirrored one another's. It was a mix of surprise and concealed amusement.

Then, Francesca introduced Danny with a smile. "Rick, this is Savannah's son. Isn't he adorable? He looks just like her. And he's not that young either."

Roderick's gaze shifted between Danny and me. A beat later, his eyes locked on mine and stayed there.

I thought he might ignore me altogether, but then he spoke up in a hoarse voice. "I wasn't expecting this. You've been abroad for a few years, and now you're married with a kid?"

I lifted my head and looked him straight in the eye. "I've been married for a while now. I'm sorry I didn't tell you."

The room instantly fell silent. No one said a single word as Roderick stared at me, a flicker of disbelief in his eyes.

Just as Francesca was about to say something, he stepped toward me and asked, "Where's your husband?"

I dropped my gaze before answering, "He had work, so he couldn't make it."

The room immediately buzzed with whispers, followed by soft, stifled laughter. Nevertheless, no one dared go too far. At least, not with Roderick there.

"And he just let you travel all this way alone? Doesn't he care that something might happen to you?" he questioned, his expression darkening.

A bitter smile crept across my face as I replied, "I once flew to another country alone, and no one cared what would happen to me then. I'm a grown woman now. I think I'll manage just fine."

Roderick had sent me away once. I had never flown before, let alone gone to somewhere so far away.

Everything had been unfamiliar and overwhelming. I was terrified, unable to speak the language. Yet, he hadn't cared.

At that moment, Roderick's gaze grew colder.

…

I barely touched my food during the meal. I felt tense and out of place.

Everyone kept flattering Roderick, gushing over how perfect he and Francesca were together. But all I could think about was getting Danny out of there and letting him rest.

If I could rent a small place here and get a job, Danny and I would be okay. I had no plans of going back overseas, after all.

The moment the meal ended, I got up to leave with Danny. However, Roderick stopped me with Francesca standing beside him.

With a sharp look and a voice devoid of warmth, he warned, "Savannah, we're both married now. I'd appreciate it if you stayed out of my life."

Francesca leaned against him, smiling. "She won't do anything, Rick. She's a mom now. She knows better."

They looked like the perfect couple. And I was just the outsider who didn't belong.

No matter what I said, they'd never believe me. So, I nodded and replied, "You won't hear from me again."

Without waiting for Roderick or Francesca to respond, I walked away with Danny in my arms.

Once again, Roderick offered to have Curtis drive me. Yet, I refused without hesitation. "Mr. Campbell, I'll stay out of your life and won't be any trouble."

I was simply echoing the warning he had given me earlier.

…

Back at my rented apartment, Danny seemed a little downcast as he asked, "Mommy, do you think that man and woman from earlier don't like me?"

He was smart and sensitive, so he picked up on everything.

I ruffled his hair and said, "Of course not. They don't dislike you."

The only one Roderick and Francesca hated was me.

Danny leaned into me, his small body nestled close as he nuzzled his cheek against my face. "Mommy, I love you the most."

A warmth stirred in my chest at his words. At least I still had his love.

"I love you, too," I replied, pressing a kiss to his cheek.

…

After Danny fell asleep, I received a message from Francesca. She wrote, "Savannah, do you have time now? I'd like to talk."

Not wanting to get too involved with her, I replied that it would be better for us to communicate through text. But not long after, my phone rang.

"Savannah, I'm downstairs. Can we talk?" asked Francesca.

"I just wanted to ask if you're planning to leave again. Rick and I both think it'd be best if you built a good life abroad. Your husband is still overseas, isn't he? Being apart like this isn't ideal."

Her words carried only one implication—she wanted me gone.

I couldn't help but find it amusing. She and Roderick had been married for years, yet here she was, worried about whether I'd leave.

Clearly, he had been thinking the same thing.

I must have gotten under their skin so much that they couldn't even stand being in the same country as me.

…

Once I made sure that Danny was sound asleep, I quietly shut the door behind me and headed downstairs.

As expected, Francesca was already there waiting.

I had to prepare myself mentally before I could meet her gaze. "I'm not leaving. I'm staying."

I couldn't bear to put Danny through another long journey either.

To my surprise, Francesca scoffed. Now that it was just the two of us, she dropped the pretense. Her gaze was cold with unconcealed disdain as she said, "Savannah, I know you don't have money. Just name your price, and I'll pay you as long as you leave."

Nevertheless, I didn't relent.

Francesca was taken aback, her contempt now unmistakable. "What's the point of staying? Do you even have your child's father's support?

"You should know your place. Roderick and I are married. Even if you stick around, it won't change anything. Life here will be hard. Why not just go back—"

I raised my voice and interjected firmly, "I told you. I'm not leaving. This is my decision, and it has nothing to do with you."

Without saying another word, Francesca stormed off. And just like that, our conversation was over.

…

In the days that followed, I kept searching for a job. But no matter how many interviews I went to, no one ever got back to me.

Eventually, a kind supervisor hinted to me that it was because of Francesca.

That was when it hit me. She was pulling strings to make sure I couldn't find work here. That way, I'd have no choice but to leave the country.

…

That day, just as I stepped out of yet another interview, the hospital called.

I hadn't slept the night before and had made an appointment. I needed a prescription for antidepressants.

During the consultation, the doctor remarked that my mental state was concerning. At this point, medication alone wouldn't be enough. So, they suggested I see a therapist.

I had heard the same advice from doctors overseas. Back then, my depression had been worse.

When I opened the door to leave, I kept my head down and bumped into someone.

"Sorry," I quickly apologized.

It wasn't until I looked up that I saw Roderick, with Francesca beside him.

Roderick frowned, clearly not eager to talk. But as he turned to walk away, his eyes landed on the medication in my hand.

"Savannah, what are you here for?"