Chapter 1

"Ah! You little mute! How dare you bite me?" When Layla Jenkins stepped out of her office, she was greeted by the sight of her daughter sinking her teeth into a little boy's arm and refusing to let go. Startled, she hurried over and said, "Daisy, you can't bite people." Daisy finally released her grip, her big eyes welling up with tears as she looked at Layla. Then, she pointed to her own mouth while shaking her head desperately, seeming to be saying, "I'm not mute." Layla's heart ached as she gently patted her daughter's head. "Mommy knows you've been wronged, but you can't bite people. Let's go check on the little boy's arm together, okay?" Although she was still feeling aggrieved, Daisy nodded obediently. After comforting her daughter, Layla turned her attention to the little boy. Just as she was about to offer him some words of consolation, she froze. The face of the person before her was one that she had yearned for day and night. The boy standing in front of her was none other than her son, Benjamin Parker. Layla became stiff, and her words caught in her throat as memories of the past came rushing back. Back then, her son had glared at her with utter disdain and shouted, "You're a bad woman! Get out of here and never come back! I'll never see you as my mother. I want Clarissa to be my mom!" Those words from her son during the divorce were the final straw that had broken Layla. It was already unbearable to be betrayed by the man that she loved deeply. But for her most cherished son to reject her too? To this day, Layla couldn't recall how she had left the Parker family. All she remembered was the numbing cold seeping through her heart that was more biting than the snow outside and the suffocating pain. Now, after four long years, both mother and son were standing face to face once again. She would be lying if she said she wasn't excited. Yet, there was no trace of longing on her son's face, only loathing. It was just like the day he had driven her away. Layla suppressed her inner turmoil, and her tone was firm as she said, "I'm her mother. She shouldn't have bitten you, and I sincerely apologize on her behalf. But calling her a 'little mute' is deeply insulting. You owe her an apology too." Benjamin's eyes flashed with even more anger as he glared at Layla. "But she is a little mute! Am I wrong? She's bad, just like you! I'll never apologize to her!" Standing tall with his hands on his hips, he looked every bit like a defiant little tyrant. At that moment, a cold and authoritative voice cut through the air. "Benjamin! Who taught you to speak like that?" Benjamin froze immediately at those words. It took several seconds before he held out his bitten arm and complained, "Dad, it's all because of that bad woman's daughter! She nearly bit me to death. Look!" "Benjamin, she's your mother. Is this how you speak to her? What have I taught you about respect?" Seth Parker's expression was cold, and so was his tone. Unfazed, Benjamin defiantly raised his chin and said, "She's not my mom. She's a bad woman! She chose that little mute over me. I'll never call her Mom!" "Benjamin, are you itching for punishment? You'd better apologize!" The warning was enough to scare Benjamin into submission. Seth walked toward Layla, and his scrutinizing gaze locked onto Daisy as he asked, "Is she your daughter?" Layla had known that returning to this city would mean crossing paths with Seth sooner or later, but she hadn't expected it to happen like this. Seeing Seth's face and hearing his voice took her back to the day she left the Parker family. She had just returned from the hospital, eager to share the news of her pregnancy with him. But before she could speak, he had handed her the divorce papers. She had stared at him in disbelief, wondering if it was a joke. However, his low, resolute voice had shattered her hopes as he said, "Layla, Clarissa saved my life back then. Her leg was injured so badly that she can never dance again. She's fallen into a deep depression since. If I don't marry her, she'll end her life. I have no choice but to divorce you." In that moment, Layla's world had crumbled. Seth felt like he owed his first love, so he wanted to divorce Layla. What he didn't know was that, for his sake, Layla could never realize her dreams ever again. She had thought that Seth's choice was one that had been made out of necessity. It wasn't until she had overheard Clarissa's conversation with him that she realized the truth. "Seth, you only kept Layla by your side to shield me from harm, didn't you? Now that your position is secure, there's no need for her anymore. You seem to be finding it difficult to chase her away. You haven't fallen for her, have you?" Clarissa had asked. Layla's heart had clenched painfully. She had prayed for Seth to deny it, to say that he loved her, but his reply was cold and cutting as he said, "No." That single word was like a dagger to Layla's chest. All this time, Seth's kindness toward her had been a lie. It was nothing more than a ruse to make the enemy believe that she was Seth's weakness, in order to protect Clarissa. Layla had foolishly believed that they shared the same passionate love. Remembering all this, Layla's heart still ached—not for Seth, but for the naive woman she once was. Back to the present, Layla answered without hesitation, "Yes." Seth's expression darkened, and he clenched his fists for some unknown reason. "Layla, you know you can't have another pregnancy, considering your bad health. Carrying a child could have killed you. Just how special is this man for you to risk your life like that?" Layla's lips curled up into a mocking smile. Yes… How special was that man? The fortune teller had said that Seth's life would be smooth sailing if he had a daughter. So, Layla had gone to desperate lengths and drank bitter herbal remedies to ensure that she would have a daughter. Just for him, she had ignored the doctor's stern warnings about the dangers of another pregnancy. And yet, the man that she had loved so deeply had discarded her without hesitation. Layla felt her heart ache, but she replied calmly, "It's none of your business, is it?" Seth's expression darkened. "I'm only looking out for you. You're Benjamin's biological mother, after all. I don't want you putting yourself in danger." Layla chuckled. "I don't need your concern. I'm perfectly fine. If the boy needs medical attention, I'll take him to the school nurse. If not, I'll be on my way." "Layla," he called out, his gaze fixed on her. She was still as beautiful as ever. "Don't forget. Benjamin is the son you gave everything for. How can you abandon him for your daughter? I never knew you were so heartless." Layla turned to look at him, and her tone was calm and unwavering as she replied, "Why should I please someone who doesn't love me? I'm happy now, and that's enough." Her voice softened as she bent down to lift Daisy into her arms. "Sweetheart, Daddy's here to pick us up. Let's go celebrate Mommy's new job with a big meal." She walked toward the man who had been waiting patiently at the stairwell—Mark Kirkland. Mark took Daisy from her arms and guided Layla away. Seth's fists clenched tightly as he watched the happy family of three leave. A voice inside his head whispered relentlessly, "Layla had a child with another man."