ing with anxiety and rage. The sprawling estate loomed before her, but tonight it

ng as she spotted Olivia Blake, Christian's mother, seated on the cream leather couch. Beside her was Christian's younger

public humiliation of her. Maybe, for once, they would stand on her side and hold him

ed, the laughter died down, replaced by cold, scrutinizing stares. Olivi

ice dripping with disdain. "The lady of

need to talk to you," she said, her voice f

darling, what about him? Is he working too ha

he hotel reignited her fury. "I'm talking about the photos, Olivia," she

chair, a mockingly thoughtf

the truth? A woman who can't even bear a child for

nielle, hoping for some support, but Christi

family," Danielle added wit

d as they nodded in agreement. Crystal's stomach churned as O

real wife, someone who can give him an heir. Not a barren, us

t me," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. "I've given everything to this family. I've endured your i

r own. But since you seem so determined to cling to a life that

every head turned toward the entrance. Heavy footsteps echoed through the grand foyer, and Chris

d. She searched his face for a hint of remorse, an exp

eat. She greeted her son with an approving smile and tur

suffocating, the tension so thick it was almost tangible. Crystal's eyes darted to Ilda's hand resting posse

ly, reaching into his briefcase. He pulled out a crisp stack of p

he words 'Dissolution of Marriage' stared back at her in bold b

s, but she didn't wipe them away. She refused to give t

oid of any emotion. "Let's not make th

g her role in this charade. "This is what you should have done

expression one of triumph. Danielle and the other guests exchanged amus

Christian. "After everything we've been through, this is how you end i

mily for too long, Crystal. Christian has finally found someone who can give him w

been able to give him a child before, but that doesn't mak

ielle cut in with a mocking la

apers, Crystal. Christian and I are ready to move on. We're

her world crumbling around her. Her knees weakened,

ed. "How could you do this to me?" she whispered, her voice breaking. "We were su

mained impassive. "T

ring through her tears. Her trembling fingers hovered ov

d sharply. "Sign it, or we'll make sur

he said softly, her voice filled with anguish. "Nothing except the hope that on

rying my child," he said bluntly. "The heir this family has been wa

h, where a life had just begun a life Christian didn't even know about. She wanted to

into him as though to stake her claim. "Let's not

esolve. "If I sign these papers, it won't be because you forced me.

curving into a smirk. "Do what y

g. This wasn't just about her anymore. It was about her child-

ve of cold satisfaction swept across Olivia's face. Without hesitation, Olivia and Danielle vanished upstairs, o

ong time ago," Olivia s

the last. Ilda leaned in close, her smile razor-sharp. "Don't worry, Cryst

s laughter echoing around her, Christian's

Christian said coldly. "Yo