Even after Flynn finally acknowledged me as his wife in front of the staff, watching him shower Lorelei with attention made my heart freeze all over again.

One day, Lorelei asked me to come to the office, claiming she wanted to clear things up. As I reached the doorway, I saw them—one of her arms draped around Flynn’s neck as a breathy moan escaped her. Fury surged through me. Then Bodie’s voice rang out from behind.

“Dad! That nosy woman is spying on you!”

Flynn’s face instantly hardened. I stormed through the door, laughing bitterly. “So you’re sneaking around at work now too, huh?”

Lorelei’s eyes welled up with tears. “Elina,” she pleaded softly, “you’re mistaken. I was just helping Flynn with his tie.”

“Prove it to me,” I cut in, “and maybe I’ll believe you.”

Flynn’s expression stiffened. “That’s enough! Stop making a scene.”

“You want proof? Fine. Here it is.” He pulled up the security footage. The video showed Lorelei adjusting his tie—just at an angle that made it look like something more.

I was speechless. Before I could get a word out, Lorelei chimed in, her voice dripping sweetness. “Elina, I’m so grateful for Flynn’s help. I would never want to ruin his family.”

Her words sounded humble, but the smug glint in her eyes said otherwise. Bodie made faces at me from behind her, mouthing, “Silly woman.”

That was when it clicked. She hadn’t come here to explain anything. She’d staged this whole mess to provoke a fight—to make Flynn see me as the crazy wife and herself as the poor victim.

A cold chill crept down my spine as whispers from the hallway floated in.

“If she really is Flynn’s wife, she’s way too controlling! I’d take someone gentle like Lorelei any day.”

“Exactly. Waddling around with that big belly and still causing drama.”

Flynn didn’t defend me. Instead, he frowned. “Since the misunderstanding’s cleared up, why not apologize to Lorelei? How else can she face everyone at work?”

I tried to explain. “She set me up.”

Lorelei’s voice trembled. “Elina, if I’d known how much you disliked me, I would’ve left a long time ago rather than be humiliated like this.”

At that, Flynn’s face darkened. “You’re about to be a mother. When you’re wrong, you should apologize. Be a good example for your child.”

I laughed bitterly at this staged performance. I couldn’t keep playing this game. Ignoring the sharp stares and vicious gossip from the staff, I turned and left.

I hadn’t gotten far before Flynn followed. I expected him to pressure me into apologizing. Instead, his voice softened. “I know you were wronged, but you caused such a scene. I had no choice.”

When I said nothing, he paused, then added, “I actually knew she did it on purpose. I saw Bodie making faces.”

That was the breaking point. “You knew—and you still wanted me to apologize?”

Flynn sighed. “You come from a prominent family. One embarrassing scene won’t hurt your standing; no one will dare speak badly of you. But Lorelei is different. She has nothing. If I don’t stand by her, how is she supposed to survive at the company?”

So because I came from a good family, I was supposed to be branded a homewrecker—while pregnant?

Ignoring the displeasure written all over my face, he pushed on. “Elina, we’ve been together for so long. I’m used to having you by my side. You’re the one I truly love.”

“I just owe Arian for saving my life.”

“Once the baby is born, I promise I’ll send them away.”

He reached out to touch my stomach. “I’ve even thought of a name for our baby. It will be—”

Before he could finish, I threw up all over him.

My throat burned, but it was nothing compared to the numbness spreading through my heart.

So this was his idea of love.

Love like that—I couldn’t bear it.

I wanted a divorce.

I reached out to my attorney, then headed back to my room to pack. But the moment I walked in, I realized it was gone—the bracelet my mother left me. Her treasured heirloom. And my gut instantly screamed Bodie. He’d been acting off all day yesterday.

I stormed off to find Flynn, leveling the accusation before he even had a chance to blink. Flynn frowned. “Elina, do you really have to blame Bodie for everything? I give him whatever he wants. Why would he need to steal from you?”

I didn’t bother arguing. I went straight to Bodie’s room. When he saw me, a flicker of panic flashed across his face. “What are you doing here? You’re not welcome,” he blurted.

Keeping my voice level, I said, “Give back what you took, and maybe I’ll let this slide.”

He shot back, all defiance. “Don’t accuse me! Dad, look at her! She’s picking on me again!”

Flynn stood in the doorway, his expression souring. “Elina, he’s only five. He doesn’t understand these things. Do you really have to be so harsh with a child?”

Is shoving a pregnant woman a misunderstanding? Is taking something without asking not theft? I could hardly believe what I was hearing. Ignoring both of them, I reached into Bodie’s pocket. He tried frantically to stop me, but I already had it—a small box. Inside was my bracelet.

Bodie showed zero remorse. His face twisted with defiance. “Yeah, I took it. So what? You made my mom upset. I wanted to teach you a lesson.”

Lorelei rushed in, wrapping Bodie in a protective hug. “How could you take something from Elina? Apologize to her right now.”

Then she turned to me, all sweet apology. “I’m so sorry, Elina. It’s my fault—I didn’t raise him better. If you need to blame someone, blame me, not him. He’s just a child.”

I let out a bitter laugh. How could a child instinctively zero in on the one thing I treasured most? It was painfully obvious who’d put him up to it.

Flynn sighed. “The bracelet isn’t broken, Elina. Weren’t you the one supposed to keep it safe?”

I squeezed my eyes shut. The bracelet wasn’t broken—but my love for you, Flynn, has already turned to dust.

“Flynn, I want a divorce.”

The words had barely left my lips when a message came through from my lawyer. I froze, staring at the screen.

“When did you list him under my name?”

Flynn looked caught off guard. He mumbled, “Bodie’s about to start school, and I wanted him to get into your old private academy. So... I listed you as his guardian and used your family’s legacy placement.”

Even though I was set on leaving, I had to ask. “That academy gives my family only one guaranteed place per generation, Flynn. You used our child’s place on him. What happens when our baby is old enough?”

He stammered, “The baby isn’t born yet. Once he’s here, I’ll figure something out. And honestly, having another son could be nice—Bodie and our kid could grow up as brothers.”

The moment his words hung in the air, Bodie screamed, “I already have a mom! I don’t need her as my mom! Her baby’s just a bastard—I should’ve kicked her hard enough to make her lose it!”

Then, out of nowhere, he charged at me and shoved me hard. I hit the ground, my only instinct to shield my belly. I watched helplessly as the bracelet flew from my hand and shattered into pieces.

A fiery pain ripped through my body, stealing my breath. Flynn panicked and called for a doctor, who thankfully confirmed the baby was safe. Flynn exhaled in relief.

I slowly pushed myself up, glaring at Bodie. “I’m calling the police.”

Flynn was stunned. “You’re going to report a five-year-old?”

“Is five old enough to push a pregnant woman? Is five old enough to steal? Is five old enough to call someone’s child a bastard?”

Flynn’s desperation flared. “Elina, I know you’re upset. I promise this won’t happen again. I’ll get you the best doctors, the best prenatal care. Everything will be fine with the baby.”

But I pulled my hand away, my heart splintering into a thousand cuts. No. I don’t need any of that. Since you seem so fond of raising children who aren’t yours, our child will not be born.