Chapter 3

No one expected Lucien to be so resolute. The living room fell into a suffocating silence.

Yet, as Christina looked at the man standing firmly on her side, she felt no trace of warmth in her heart.

Seeing that her son was serious, Katie Waldorf finally gave in. "Enough. Let's eat first."

At the dining table, the only sounds were the clinking of utensils and Katie's occasional scoffs.

Christina's hand trembled slightly as she gripped her fork. She knew what was coming.

Sure enough, Katie soon put down her fork and said, "I won't ask for much, but shouldn't you at least give us a grandchild? You can't just let the family line end here."

Lucien immediately set down his fork. "I've told you before. Christina is afraid of pain. I won't let her endure such suffering for me. I'd rather remain childless forever!"

Hearing this, Lucien's parents lost their appetite completely.

Just as another argument was about to erupt, Christina spoke up. "Half a month. Dad, Mom, in half a month, you'll have a grandchild."

Her words stunned everyone.

"Christina?" Lucien grasped her hand. "We agreed not to have children. You don't have to sacrifice yourself for me."

She smiled faintly at his earnest expression.

She said they'd have a grandchild, but she never said she would be the one to give birth.

Half a month later, she'd be out of the country. Since he loved Vanessa so much and couldn't keep away from her, let her bear his child.

She smiled again. "It's dad and mom's wish. It should be fulfilled."

Lucien felt a strange unease seeing how considerate she was being. It felt… unnatural.

His parents, however, were delighted. "That's more like it."

Lucien still sensed something was wrong and was about to press further when his phone vibrated. He glanced at the screen, and his expression shifted.

Sitting close by, Christina caught a glimpse. It was a message from Vanessa.

Vanessa: [Lucien, a guy asked for my number. Should I give it to him?]

She silently counted the seconds. One, two, three…

On the third second, Lucien stood up. "Sorry, Christina. Something came up at the office. Take your time. I'll come back to pick you up later."

He didn't even wait for her response before rushing out without his coat.

As soon as he left, his parents dropped all pretense and started berating her.

"How long have you been married? And still no child. Aren't you ashamed? You come from a lowly family. Both your parents are dead. If Lucien didn't like you, do you think you'd ever become Mrs. Waldorf? Marrying you is the worst misfortune of his life.

"And stop crying! Don't think you can run to Lucien and complain. Every daughter-in-law gets scolded. Don't you dare bother him with your nonsense!"

They continued scolding her for five straight hours.

By evening, Lucien finally came back to pick her up.

As the car moved smoothly down the road, Christina broke the silence.

"Did you manage to settle your things at the office?"

Lucien hesitated, then replied gently. "Yes."

His fingers tapped lightly on the steering wheel, a habit when he was in a good mood.

Noticing her silence, he added, "My parents didn't make things difficult for you, did they?"

Just as Christina was about to answer, she spotted something beneath the passenger seat—a torn pair of polka-dot stockings.

She already knew he had gone to see Vanessa, but to think they'd done it in the car…

In their five years of marriage, she had always been conservative about intimacy.

Afraid of boring him, she had once asked, blushing, if he wanted her to change.

He had held her and kissed her, saying, "You're perfect as you are. Even in rags, I'd still be attracted to you. Don't force yourself to be someone you're not. Someone who loves you will always find you irresistible."

Yet the man who claimed to love only her had no qualms about indulging in such affairs.

Her eyes stung. "What do you think?"

Lucien, oblivious to her discovery, assumed she was upset about his parents.

He immediately hit the brakes and pulled her into his arms. "I'm sorry, Christina. It's my fault. I shouldn't have left you alone. I promise this won't happen again."

Held tightly, Christina felt suffocated.

She forced back her tears and pushed him away.

"You should focus on the road."

There was no future for them anymore.