A Child's Death, A Wife's Betrayal

“It’s just an early heir trial. You rushed him to the hospital like it was the end of the world. Didn't your son say he wanted to take over for me and make the Collins Family better? Then let him prove it. If he can't pass the trial in three days, don’t ever call him my son again.”

“I even sent him a set of his favorite clothes—what more do you want? Don’t bring your pathetic tricks from the outside world into my house. I’m busy handling company affairs. Don’t bother me again!”

I glanced down at the dog-print clothes that had fallen to the floor. Not only were they too small—more fitting for a toddler than a five-year-old—but they were also painfully inappropriate.

When Bastian was three, he was bitten by Billie’s dog. Ever since then, he hated anything with dogs on it.

And yet Shena—his own mother—had no idea.

When the nurse finished cleaning Bastian’s body, Hardy, who had moments ago been gasping for breath, suddenly fell silent. With trembling hands, he lifted the white sheet from Bastian’s face. His eyes turned red in an instant.

“This is all my fault... I failed to raise Shena properly. That’s why this happened to Bastian.”

Then he turned to me, voice hoarse with emotion.

“Theo, we agreed to eight years… But Shena isn’t completely heartless. No matter what tricks Billie plays, the Collins Family will only recognize you as our son-in-law. Please, give her another chance. I’ll make sure she sees that man’s true nature!”

Eight years ago, he had said something similar.

Back then, he found me working part-time at the company—ragged, grieving, barely holding on—and begged me to help care for Shena, who was in a coma.

When my parents were murdered by enemies, it was Hardy who helped handle the aftermath. In return, I accepted his arrangement: to join the Collins Family and care for his granddaughter.

Day after day, I gave her acupuncture, massages, medication. Slowly, she woke up. I thought with Bastian’s birth, our eight-year contract might become a lifelong bond.

But I never imagined it would all end like this.

Now he still wanted me to stay in the Collins Family?

Without hesitation, I gripped Bastian’s cold little hand and replied firmly, “We made a deal for eight years. Now that Shena has fully recovered, the debt is paid. Your favor to my family has been returned.”

“And Bastian... he shouldn’t have come into this world. It was my selfishness that made me keep him. But now that he’s gone, so am I.”

I stayed by Bastian’s side in the funeral parlor all night. At dawn, I changed him into fresh clothes, organized everything for the cremation and watched quietly as the staff sent his small body into the incinerator.

Hardy stood beside me, holding my hand with a long sigh.

“Bastian’s funeral is tomorrow. After it's done, you may go. I’ll stay here—you should head to the Collins estate and pack your things.”

Tears welled up in my eyes. I quickly turned my back to Bastian, unwilling to let him see his father break down.

Ever since Billie appeared, I often cried in secret. And every time I was sad, Bastian would feel it, too.

When I returned to the Collins mansion and pushed open the bedroom door, I was met with a scene that crushed the last remnants of my soul.

Shena and Billie lay tangled in our bed, their clothes disheveled. She was gently stroking her belly.

“Baby, grow strong and obedient,” she whispered. “Soon, Mommy will be able to give you a rightful place in the Collins Family.”

Shena, smiling faintly, turned to Billie.

“Thank you for letting me have your child. But I don’t want to make things hard for you. Bastian acted out last time and bumped into you at the banquet… If he knew I was pregnant with your baby, who knows what he’d do. Maybe... we should terminate it.”

Shena suddenly straddled him, pressing a finger to his lips. Her tone turned soft, but her words cut like knives.

“No. I promised to give you a child and I will. As for Bastian… he was raised entirely by that man. He never had the composure or grace of a Collins Family heir. I never liked him. If I could choose, I’d rather he was never my son at all.”