Chapter 31: Chapter 31

The room fell into a stunned silence.

Leo frowned, rubbing his temples in frustration “Don’t joke about this.”

Joke? I looked at the handsome man before me, my heart filled with bitterness. I had been his secretary for five years and knew his every move. I remembered the passion of that drunken night, the sincerity in his proposal, and his smile when our child was born in my. past life. All those memories had once convinced me that there was some affection in our marriage–until Melody’s appearance shattered that illusion.

My eyes reddened, sadness flooding my entire being. Driven by a sudden, reckless impulse, I asked, “Leo, did you know... I love you?”

Leo froze, his gaze locked on my tear–filled eyes After a long pause, he looked away, saying flatly, “If I had known, I,wouldn’t have married you.”

It felt as if someone had hollowed out my chest, leaving only searing pain.

Though I had expected this answer, I could no longer maintain my composure, and a tear slipped from my eye.

The room tilted on its axis. Leo’s cologne–that damned cedarwood scent he’d worn since our honeymoon–clung to my throat like drowning hands. I wondered if this was how our daughter felt when the amniotic fluid filled her tiny lungs in that cursed delivery room.

Leo’s heart skipped a beat as he watched me. The unfamiliar feeling made him want to turn away. “I have things to do. You should rest,” he said, turning to leave.

As he reached the door, I stepped forward, grabbing his arm, desperate for an answer. “Tell me, when you proposed to me, did you truly feel nothing for me?”

Leo looked down, ignoring my grip as he pulled his arm away. “You’re still pregnant. Think carefully about the divorce.” With that, he walked out of the house.

The clock ticked closer to midnight.

Chapter I sat alone at the table, unmoving.

My phone rang repeatedly until I finally lifted it seeing my mother Emma’s name on the screen. I closed my eyes, hesitated, and answered.

“Laura, your brother is getting married soon, and the Yuxuan Garden community is a nice spot. Tell Mr. Reed to send more money!” Emmas entitled tone left me too drained to even feel angry.

I replied quietly. “There’s no money.”

“What do you mean no money? Laura, just because you married into a rich family, don’t think you’re above us. One day, you’ll need your brother’s support...”

“I won’t give you anything. We’re getting divorced, and everything you took before- you should give it all back.” I cut my mother off.

“What?! What’s going on? Did Leo find a mistress?” Emma’s shocked voice soon shifted, her tone turning scornful. “All rich men are like that You’re so useless- already pregnant and still can’t keep a man! Get as much money as you can before the baby is born. That’s all that matters!”

I let out a silent laugh, and as I laughed, tears began to fall. My hand went slack, letting the phone drop to the floor with a thud, shattering my last glimmer of hope.

The next day, as soon as I arrived at work, I felt the weight of curious stares. Faint whispers floated around me..

“Did you hear? That slap sounded so loud.”

“If I were her, I wouldn’t have the face to keep working here.”

“Come on, she’s already suffered enough. Not only did the boss’s mistress steal her project, but she even took a slap for it...”

The sympathetic tone cut deeper than any mockery. I forced a bitter smile, clutching my bag tightly as I walked to my desk.

Moments later, Melody approached, placing a document in front of me. “Laura, this is Emilia’s disciplinary notice. She’s getting half a month’s pay cut. I need your signature.”

Chapter 31 I shot her a cold look. “I can’t sign that. Have Mi Reed sign it.”

Melody’s smile deepened with an unreadable glint in her eyes. “Alright, Laura.” She then turned and breezed into Leo’s office.

A while later, Leo and Melody emerged side by side, talking quietly, their stance intimate.

Just then, commotion erupted near the elevator I hurried out, stunned by the scene before me.

Emma was storming forward, and with a loud “slap,” she struck Melody across the face.

“You little vixen! Seducing my son–in–law! Shameless woman!” Emma shouted.

My face turned pale as I rushed forward, grabbing my mother. “Mom, what are you doing?!”

“You useless thing!” Emma shook off my grip and turned to Leo, grabbing his arm. “Son–in–law, I demand an explanation today! I am carrying your child, yet you’re here‘ flirting with this little fox. If you don’t kick her out right now, this won’t end!”

The bombshell echoed through the air like thunder.

Everyone present looked at one another in shock, disbelief written all over their faces.

“Mr. Reed and Laura... are married?!”

dapplers C