Chapter 3 Shattered Illusions

Before our wedding, Daniel warned me, "Beyond the title, I'll give you nothing. If it weren't for you, Vivian wouldn't have left."

After we got married, he and I settled into separate bedrooms, playing the part of a happy couple only when his parents were around.

A year later, his parents finally sensed something was amiss and demanded he have a child, warning that if I didn't conceive, Vivian would never be allowed back.

I was clueless about these hidden strings being pulled behind the scenes.

From that moment on, Daniel's attitude softened remarkably.

He began inviting me out to dinner, gifting me small trinkets, and driving me to and from work. Every week, he joined me for visits to my grandmother.

Rumors of a supposed romance between the CEO and his assistant started spreading through the company, and I found myself wondering if we had somehow both settled into this arrangement and decided to make the best of it.

Then came my birthday. We had some wine, and everything flowed as naturally as breathing. By the end of that night, I was carrying Noah.

Daniel's response to my pregnancy was a drastic shift.

He came home early each evening, joined me for meals and walks, and never missed a single prenatal checkup.

For the first time, I allowed myself to believe in the illusion of a family, thinking we might just make this work.

But during my fifth month of pregnancy, my grandmother passed away. Grief overwhelmed me, and the strain sent me into premature contractions, landing me in the hospital.

Daniel held me close, whispering, "Sophie, don't cry. I'm here for you. I'll stay by your side."

I cried my heart out in his arms. In my heart, I clung to him as my last remaining family.

A few months later, I finally gave birth to Noah.

Strangely, Daniel didn't show up when I was discharged. Instead, he sent a driver.

"Mrs. Shaw, Mr. Shaw had to pick someone up from the airport."

What could be so important it overshadowed his own son's homecoming? I didn't have to wait long to find out.

I didn’t have to wait long to find out. I returned home to the rare sound of laughter. I entered to see Daniel and a woman sitting closely on the couch, obviously more than just “close.”

The woman, as beautiful as a doll, rose to greet me. "Sophie," she said sweetly.

Daniel glanced at me, his tone casual as he mentioned, "This is Vivian, my sister. She went abroad before we married and just got back today."

I had heard of Vivian, his adopted sister, though I had never met her. The Shaws rarely mentioned her.

"Vivian said she likes our home," he added lightly. "She wants to stay with us for a while, and I agreed."

Vivian tilted her head, her gaze challenging. "I hope you don't mind, Sophie?"

I replied with a smile, "Of course not. Welcome home." But a question gnawed at me—why was she staying here and not at the Shaws' main house?

The truth came out much later.

Daniel's parents saw his relationship with Vivian as a thorn in their side and forced her overseas to keep them apart. That was why she was afraid to show up in front of them.

Ignorant of this, I had believed they were just close siblings.

But now, with Noah gone, I wondered how Daniel's parents would react once they found out the truth behind his death. I was eager to see how Daniel and Vivian would explain themselves.

I chose Noah's gravesite myself; it overlooked a large lake he had loved.

Family and friends gathered to pay their respects.

Daniel's mother, seeing my haggard face, took my hand. "Sophie, you must take care of yourself. Didn't Daniel come home yesterday? Why isn't he here?"

Murmurs started among the guests. "Yeah, where's Daniel? He's the father; why isn't he here for his son's burial?"

"I heard he didn't show up for Noah's bone marrow transplant either. That's why…"

"What on earth happened?"

Daniel's father's face darkened. Just then, someone called out, "Look, Daniel's here—and Vivian, too!"

Daniel walked up the steps with Vivian beside him, arm in arm. Dressed in black, she wore bold red lipstick, her hand resting on his arm as they ascended the steps, a couple in all but name.

I turned away, tears streaming down as I gazed at Noah's photo.

Daniel's father pointed a trembling finger at him. "You finally show up. Why were you missing? Do you realize Noah needed you? That he was waiting for you to save him?"

Daniel hung his head. "Dad, I… I didn't mean for this to happen."

His mother glanced between him and Vivian, her face paling. "Vivian, when did you come back?"

Vivian replied, "Mom, I just got back and ran into Daniel. We came together after hearing about Noah."

Turning, I saw Daniel's threatening glare, warning me to stay silent.

I smiled faintly; his threats meant nothing to me now. There was nothing in this world left for me to fear, nothing to hold me back.

"Oh, just got back?" I mused aloud. "That's strange. Yesterday, I was told Daniel had his phone off because you were hospitalized from nearly miscarrying.

"He missed his own son's transplant to be with you. So, which is it? Today or yesterday?"

Feigning regret, I continued, "Oops, sorry for slipping up. But my husband spent half a month at your bedside, forgetting his own son's life was on the line. Even if I pursue the matter, surely everyone here will understand my grief as a mother?"

Vivian's face went white, her composure cracking.

Daniel barked, "That's enough, Sophie! Stop this nonsense."

Straightening up, I pointed to Noah's photo. "Oh, is it nonsense? Daniel, tell your son why you didn't show up at his surgery. Tell him why you abandoned him. Explain it to him, if you dare—tell him why his father's heart had no room for him!"

I stepped closer. Fire blazed in my eyes; I wished it could burn them both. "Go on, Daniel. Do you dare face his picture and swear to the truth?"

Vivian began to cry. "Sorry, it's all my fault. I didn't know Noah needed surgery, but I was in so much pain… Blame me if you must, Sophie, but leave Daniel out of it."

My voice was as cold as ice. "Fine, then. Tell me, who am I supposed to blame for my son's death?"

She leaned on Daniel, her voice trembling as she played the victim. "No one wanted this, Sophie. Surely Noah wouldn't want to see you and Daniel fighting."

A sharp crack echoed as Daniel's mother slapped her across the face.

"Shameless woman!" she snarled. "Get out of here!"