Chapter 3
Over time, I fell in love with her sincerity and innocence.
She used to blush shyly and say she simply wanted to be kind to me.
And so, we fell in love, got married and had a child.
Knowing her pride and reluctance to leave her hometown,
I willingly stayed with her at the Portman Family estate under the guise of being a live–in son–in–law, quietly supporting her from the shadows.
With my help, she rebuilt the Portman Group from–the brink of collapse and rose to become the wealthiest woman in the province.
But success changed her.
She was rarely home.
When I gently asked her to spend more time with our son, the woman who once swore she’d never look down on others gave me a disdainful look and said, “What do you know? You’re just a son–in–law”
“Do you think all I have to do is stay home and raise kids like you? If I didn’t work so hard outside, could you and our son enjoy such a comfortable life?”
Her words pierced through me.
Her growing arrogance slowly crushed the last of my hope.
Still, I was grateful.
She had given birth to my son–a bright, brilliant boy.
And all I ever wanted was to raise him well and see him thrive.
So I tolerated her.
Again and again.
I never imagined that my patience would become permission.
That she would betray me, conceiving another man’s child.
That her carelessness would cost our son his life.
After he died, there was nothing left binding me to this family.
And whatever love I had for Serena vanished along with him.
Lost in these thoughts, I arrived at the Portman Group building, carrying my son’s death certificate.
Inside, the elite of the province had gathered for the company’s 30th anniversary celebration- business moguls, socialites, political figures. The entire upper echelon was in attendance.
Serena stood at the center, radiant in an elegant gown, her expression proud and aloof–like a goddess basking in her own glory.
Ricky, dressed in a tailored suit, held her by the waist, looking at her as if she were the only person in the world.
I stepped inside, expressionless.
4:26 am
As I neared, I heard Ricky’s voice. He was pouting like a child, sounding pitiful.
“Serena, I’m sorry. It’s all my fault your husband wants to divorce you.”
Serena smiled at him sweetly, her voice so soft it was almost a whisper.
“Silly… I’m rich and Bryan loves me more than life itself. There’s no way he’d divorce me. He’s jus throwing a tantrum. Don’t take it to heart.”
But the moment her eyes met mine, all tenderness vanished. Her gaze turned icy.
“Bryan, didn’t I tell you to bring your son to the celebration today? How dare you show up alone!”
Around us, the murmurs of the powerful began.
“So that’s the Portman Family’s live–in son–in–law? He looks like he works on a construction site.”
“Just a househusband. No wonder Serena always preferred her assistant.”
“With that rustic look? He’s completely unworthy of someone like Serena.”
Their snide remarks only deepened Ricky’s smug smile.
Then, putting on a display of false humility, he looked at me with watery eyes, as if he were the
victim.
“Bryan, I know it’s my fault. I got Serena pregnant and made you two fight.”
“If you’re angry, just yell at me. Don’t take it out on your son. Don’t dress like you’re in mourning and show up alone on such an important day.”
“You know how important this event is. With all these high–ranking guests present, are you deliberately trying to humiliate Serena and shame the Portman Family?”
His sanctimonious act drew approving glances from the crowd.
Even Serena’s expression softened, touched by his “consideration.”
But I simply looked at him, calm and cold.
‘I don’t care if you enjoy being the other man,” I said flatly.
‘But don’t ever bring up my son.”
‘You’re not worthy.”
