Gasps erupted in the room.

Tiny shards of the glass had cut my bare neck, making beads of crimson spill out of my skin.

"Mommy! Mommy!" Ruby cried out, tears rolling down her cheeks.

Luckily my body served as a shield, and nothing got to her.

She then turned to Russ—furious. "How dare you do that to Mommy!"

"Mommy is the one who started it! Besides, she doesn't even deserve to be called my Mommy!" He retorted.

Rowan didn't say a word, he just stood there, staring at the cuts on my body.

Elora also stared at the droplets of crimson that seemed to blend with my gown.

A hint of amusement played on her lips. But just as quickly as it came, it vanished.

I, on the other hand, stayed still, unable to do anything.

My own flesh and blood, my six-year-old son, had thrown a glass at me all because of another woman.

"Why don't you leave I, Daddy, and Aunt Elora alone, Mommy?"

I couldn't help but let out a light chuckle.

"Don't say that, Russ, that's not nice," Elora said as she dropped Russ on the floor.

"Aunt Elora is right, Russ. Apologize to your Mommy," Rowan instructed.

But Russ looked away, his arms crossing in front of him as he scowled, "No!"

I couldn't help but laugh.

"Is that really what you want, Russ, for Mommy to leave you and Daddy alone?"

He nodded. "And never come back!" He added.

My lips arched into a forced smile as I blinked back the tears that threatened to leave my eyes.

I knew Russ disliked me, but I didn't think it had gotten this bad.

Russ and I used to be close, just like Ruby and me, so when did it all go wrong?

I hadn't noticed.

Tears were streaming down Elora's cheeks, but I knew she was pleased with what was going on.

She and Rowan had grown up together. They were best friends.

I had tried my best to overlook the times in the past when she would be there next to Rowan instead of me all in the pretense of a boss and his assistant.

I guess I and Rowan were never meant to be.

"If that's what you want, Russ, then I'll make your dream come true," I muttered.

A brief silence fell in the room, followed by murmurs and whispers.

"What the hell are you talking about, Alessia?" Rowan asked, anger seeping into his features.

But he, of all people, should know what I meant.

"I want a divorce, Rowan," I said to him, pushing back any pain I had left in me.

"Don't be silly, we are not getting a divorce," He snickered.

I turned around, lifting Ruby onto me. Then I tilted my head slightly, glancing at Rowan.

"Tell that to my lawyers."

I was on my way to the door when Rowan's next words made me halt in my steps.

"For an illegitimate child, you really are something else," He snarled.

This was something he did a lot, reminding me that I was only the daughter of a woman who went after someone else's husband.

But he had never said it in public before, not in front of this many people.

"I am tired of you throwing tantrums every time as if the world revolves around you. But it doesn't, Alessia."

I heard footsteps approaching from behind. Then I felt hot breath right above my ear.

"Act out in front of everyone like this again, and I'll let the world know how you drugged me and got yourself pregnant so that I would marry you," He whispered before walking away.

I stood there, not knowing what to do. But deep down I couldn't continue living this way.

"I'm sorry!" I screamed, turning around. "I'm sorry, Rowan!"

If this was what he wanted, then I was going to give it to him.

I was tired of being blamed for what I didn't do.

Yeah, I loved him. I had fallen for him even before he walked through the doors of the Dale family's mansion.

I was heartbroken when they announced that he was to marry Elora, my step-sister.

But I never drugged him. I was also a victim.

I woke up only to find myself naked on the bed—next to him.

I tried explaining so many times, but he refused to listen, saying I was just a whore like my Mom.

Well, I wasn't going to let him use that against me anymore.

"What the heck are you doing, Alessia?" Rowan asked, his voice a little above a whisper.

But I ignored him. My mind was already made up.

"I'm sorry I drugged you that night. I'm sorry I forced myself on a full-grown man like you, taking advantage of your half-conscious state—"

"Shut up, Alessia!" Rowan snapped, but I wasn't finished.

"I'm sorry I used you like a baby-making machine to get myself pregnant. I'm sorry you were asleep when I rode on you a million times as I moaned in—"

"Alessia!" He yelled as he took huge strides towards me.

But I wasn't done.

"I'm sorry I forced the heir of one of the most prestigious families into marrying an illegitimate child like—"

Before I could finish the words, he grabbed my arms, yanking me forward. But he was gentle enough so nothing would happen to Ruby.

"Let go of Mommy, Daddy!" She yelled, pushing him away.

I saw something—like sadness—flicker in his eyes for a second as he glanced at her tiny hand on his chest.

Then it vanished the moment his eyes met mine.

He let go, just as Ruby requested.

"Why did you do that?" The look in his eyes was enough to put holes in my head. "Are you trying to make me look stupid in front of everyone?"

My lips curled into a bitter smile.

"Isn't this what you wanted? Well...now the cat is out of the bag, so we don't have to be together anymore," I muttered.

"Obody, Alessia Dale," He scoffed before leaning in.

"We are never getting a divorce."

ver my dead