Silas and I were never meant to have a smooth marriage.

He developed feelings for the Gardners’ adopted daughter, Lily, and was discovered by his parents. To put an end to it, the Gardners swiftly arranged a marriage for Lily and sent her abroad.

Alas, fate loves playing cruel jokes.

The night, Silas drowned his sorrows over the news, I was drugged, no thanks to his rival’s scheme, and ended up spending the night with him in my stupor. That one-night stand left me pregnant with Yael, and I became Mrs. Gardner.

Now, however, Lily was back. Her life abroad wasn’t all roses and sunshine, and upon learning this, Silas ignored his parents’ objections and brought Lily and her daughter, Yuna, back home.

Watching them together, so harmonious and happy, I couldn’t help but admit that they looked more like a family than we ever did.

Silas had always treated me with cold indifference. I’d known all along that I was nothing more than a reluctant obligation to him. That disdain even extended to Yael, whom he treats with strict severity. He never ever praised Yael and only criticized him for not being good enough.

Even in the office, the gentleness he showed Yuna was something I had never once seen him direct toward his own son.

After returning home, I settled Yael into his room. I carefully made his bed and brought out his favorite toys.

Although Yael remained silent, I noticed his gaze slowly moving around the room as if reacquainting himself with the familiar surroundings.

I spoke softly to him, "Yael, this is home. You’re safe here. Mommy will always be by your side, and I won’t let anyone hurt you again."

Yael looked at me, and for a brief moment, I thought I saw a flicker of emotion in his eyes.

Encouraged, I continued gently, "Yael, I know you’re scared right now, but it’s okay. We’ll get through this together. If you want something, just blink, and Mommy will understand, okay?"

Yael blinked.

Overjoyed, I quickly asked, "Are you hungry, Yael? I will make you something delicious."

He blinked again.

I couldn’t hold back my excitement and kissed his forehead before heading to the kitchen.

While I was busy cooking, Silas walked in. Leaning against the doorframe, he watched me with a cold expression. "Don’t you think you’re overreacting? Yael is just not talking. It’s not like he’s seriously ill."

Without turning around, I continued chopping vegetables. "Silas, if you don’t want to help, then spare me your snide remarks."

He let out a mocking snort. "Keep spoiling him. I think he’s just pretending to be pitiful to win your sympathy."

I spun around abruptly, glaring at him. "How can you say that? Yael is your biological son!"

Unfazed, he sneered. "I’m teaching him how to grow up. Boys should face hardships—it’s how they learn to be strong. The way you coddle him will only turn him into a weak, useless failure."

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the fury rising inside me. "Silas, what Yael needs now is our understanding and support, not your coldness and criticism."

He dismissed me with a wave. "Say whatever you want. Just don’t spoil him too much."

With that, he turned and walked out of the kitchen.

During dinner, I carefully fed Yael. While he still didn’t speak, he obediently opened his mouth for each bite. I patiently fed him, spoon by spoon, my heart aching with a mix of sorrow and tenderness.

Across the table, Silas sat watching coldly.

He suddenly spoke, "Look at you, treating him like a three-year-old. He’s already five. Can’t he feed himself?"

Ignoring his ridicule, I focused on taking care of Yael.

Yael seemed to sense his father’s disapproval and trembled slightly. I gently patted his back and comforted him softly, "It’s okay, Yael. Take your time, Mommy is here with you."

Just then, the doorbell rang.

In confusion, I glanced at Silas, but he remained indifferent. "It’s probably Lily. I invited her and Yuna over to visit."

My heart sank, but I suppressed my discomfort and got up to answer the door.

As expected, Lily and her daughter Yuna stood outside.

Lily beamed as she entered. "Silas, we’re here!" When she turned and saw me, her smile dimmed slightly. "Oh, Lena, you’re here too."

I forced a polite smile.

Yuna skipped happily to Silas and chirped, "Uncle, hug me!"

Silas’s face softened with a rare tender smile as he scooped her up. "Yuna, you’re here! Did you miss your good ol’ uncle?"

Watching the warm scene before me, my heart felt heavy and conflicted. Why could Silas be so gentle with Yuna yet so cold toward his own son?

I took Yael to the garden to play. There was a small pond there, his favorite spot for feeding fish.

Handing him a bag of fish food, I said, "You play here for a while, Yael. I’ll go prepare a warm bath for you."