Chapter 3

Tears finally rolled down my cheeks.

I sobbed uncontrollably.

Damian froze, then cupped my face and forced me to look at him.

He spoke as if granting me a favor:

"I'll come back every few days to be with you, then go take care of the child. How's that?"

Seeing my continued lack of response, the man sighed deeply.

"Rowena, this is the best solution I can think of. Can you stop being unreasonable?"

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stop sobbing and calm down.

"That's too troublesome. Just thinking about it exhausts me. Anyway, we've already broken up. You just need to stay with her and the child. How I'm doing is none of your business anymore."

He roughly grabbed my shoulder, thinking I was just throwing a tantrum.

"Rowena, are you serious?"

I stopped arguing and turned to get in the car.

He suddenly shoved me hard. "So you've finally dropped the act! Now you're throwing rich girl tantrums at me!"

My head struck the car roof directly. Losing my balance, I fell heavily to the ground.

Damian's eyes filled with malice as he turned and walked away.

Claire appeared from somewhere. She reproached Damian.

"Rowena's always been a pampered princess from a wealthy family. Having a little temper is normal, isn't it? Can't you, as a grown man, be more accommodating?"

Damian laughed coldly, casually draping his arm around Claire's waist.

"I'm human too. Why should I accommodate her? She was the one who pursued me in the first place. Now she dares throw tantrums."

He glanced coldly at my disheveled state, then looked tenderly at Claire.

"You're so much better—understanding and considerate. If it had been Rowena having a baby, with that temper she'd have made a huge scene! Just thinking about it annoys me."

Their lovey-dovey display disgusted me. I didn't want to deal with them anymore and simply drove away.

The scenes from moments ago replayed in my mind.

A sharp pain in my chest made breathing difficult.

My phone rang at the worst moment. The caller ID showed Damian's mother.

"Rowena dear, I've heard everything. Damian canceled your wedding. He was wrong to keep this from all of us—having a two-year-old grandson before telling anyone."

"Here's what I'm thinking—the child was an accident and can be legally transferred to you. As long as Damian's heart is with you, it won't affect your marriage."

"Besides, Claire agreed. She won't compete with you. You're still Damian's choice for a wife. Worst case, I'll raise the grandson myself. He won't be in your way."

My throat tightened. After a moment, I spoke hoarsely:

"Ma'am, Damian and I have completely broken up."

Her tone suddenly turned vicious.

"Rowena, I knew you rich people would be difficult. I was already reluctant when you two got together, afraid my son would have no dignity around you. Now he only made a mistake any man might make. He's been honest about it, and you still can't forgive him?"

My grip on the steering wheel tightened until my knuckles turned white.

"Ma'am, it's fine. Your son has his dignity now. He and Claire are perfect together. I've already stepped aside voluntarily. I won't disturb them anymore."

I hung up and slammed on the brakes at the roadside.

I gasped for air. For the sake of his so-called dignity, I'd gone from luxury to frugality.

When Damian finally agreed to date me, he'd make snide remarks from time to time.

Each time, I just smiled and nodded. I thought if I willingly became an ordinary, caring girlfriend by his side, he'd truly accept me.

But at family gatherings, he was embarrassed by how plain I looked.

"Didn't you say Damian was dating a rich girl? Where is she? It can't be that girl next to him, can it?"

"That girl looks poorer than us. How could she be a rich girl? Damian probably made it up to save face."

His relatives laughed uproariously. Damian looked at me with even more disgust...

I sat in the car in a daze for a while before driving home.