Chapter 3

"Alison, don't be upset. I'm glad the kids like their gifts. It's not a big deal, really," Daisy said.

"But you've stolen my chance to spend Christmas with my kids! You've crossed the line. You're not welcome in my house!" I yelled.

Without thinking, I grabbed the gifts Daisy had given the kids from their hands. The children cried out loudly, protesting.

Stephen immediately intervened, pushing me to the floor with impatience. His voice dripped with annoyance. "Stop with that sour expression! Do you really want to ruin the kids' Christmas with your ridiculous jealousy?"

I pointed at Daisy, my voice shaking. "She's clearly trying to cause problems between us. Are you just going to ignore it?"

He scoffed, his expression cold. "Stop with the drama. The kids don't like your gifts. Should I make them lie and pretend they're grateful for those ugly things you made? And just because you're pregnant, do you think the whole world should revolve around you?"

He turned to Daisy. "Why don't you head to the bedroom and get some rest? You've had a rough night."

He guided Daisy to the bedroom while the kids followed, their eyes filled with fear as they looked at me, their mother.

At that moment, I felt an overwhelming sense of disappointment. I picked myself up from the floor and went straight to the bedroom.

I didn't notice the surprise flicker in his eyes as I left.

I thought that with Daisy around, Stephen wouldn't even spare me a second glance that night.

But to my surprise, just before I was about to fall asleep, I heard soft footsteps, and then he quietly entered the room.

His warm hand brushed against my waist. "Does it still hurt?" he asked with a hint of guilt in his voice.

"I've already cleaned up the house. Why can't you just let things go? There were so many people here tonight and you're making a scene over a joke. You're not thinking about the baby—calm down, please."

"You still care about this baby?" I asked, my voice laced with sarcasm.

His movement froze for a moment.

As he leaned in to kiss me, I grabbed his hand and placed it on my belly, tracing the stretch marks there.

He jerked back, startled.

Realizing his reaction had been too intense, he opened his mouth to apologize just as his phone rang.

In the quiet room, I could hear Daisy's distressed voice on the other end.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Greene. I must have upset Alison. I shouldn't stay here anymore. I'll leave and go home, you don't need to worry about me—ah!"

The phone call was abruptly cut off with a scream.

Stephen panicked completely.

He quickly threw on his coat and yanked me off the bed.

"If anything happens to Daisy tonight, it's on you! You're the one who caused this!" he snapped.

"It's not like I told her to go out at night! How is that my fault?"

I struggled to free myself, but he dragged me out of the house and shoved me into the car.

I was still wearing that thin nightgown, shivering from the cold as I sneezed uncontrollably.

But he didn't seem to care.

He floored the gas pedal, driving as fast as he could.

Ten minutes later, we saw Daisy's figure lying on the side of the road.

He immediately rushed out of the car, scooping her up and driving like a maniac toward the hospital.

As he sped down the road, he kept muttering, "If anything happens to Daisy, you'll pay for it!"

While Daisy was being checked at the hospital, pain suddenly coursed through my abdomen.

The whole night's chaos had taken its toll, and my body couldn't handle it anymore.

I broke out into a cold sweat, bracing myself against the wall to keep from falling.

After what felt like forever, Stephen finally noticed me.

But instead of concern, his voice was cold and mocking. "Stop acting, Alison. Daisy fell, not you. I can't believe you're like this! You look so put-together on the outside, but you can't even tolerate a young woman!"

Later that night, I sent a message to my lawyer. [Please help me file for divorce as soon as possible.]

Stephen passed by me, his brow furrowed. "What are you doing here? I asked you to help, not hide away!"

At that moment, Daisy cried out from the hospital room. Stephen dragged me inside.

He pointed at Daisy, his voice harsh. "Apologize to her."