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While lost in thought, Dawson had already pulled me to my feet.
Then, his gaze dropped to the back of my skirt–and froze.}
A flash of panic crossed his face as he swiftly swept me into his arms.
“Maxine! You’re bleeding–are you sick?”
I shook my head lightly, my voice weak and drained.
“It’s just… my period.”}]
But in truth, it was the surgical wound tearing open again, bleeding uncontrollably.
I didn’t want him to know that I had just lost his child–a child who was never wanted by its father.
Dawson refused the nanny’s assistance, carrying me to the bathroom himself. He insisted on washing me, drying my hair tenderly–like a doting husband.}
Once, I would have been touched by such gentleness.}
Now, I felt nothing but hollowness and numbness, knowing how long he’d worn this mask of affection.
After getting dressed, I went outside, and saw something that made me stop in my tracks.
Elise was sitting in the front passenger seat–my seat–listening to music, humming softly.
Seeing me hesitate, Dawson opened the rear car door.
“Elise just gave birth. Her body is still weak. Maxine, can you sit in the back just this once?“} Wordlessly, I slid into the rear seat.
Elise tore open a bag of snacks, crumbs scattering across the pristine floor.}
Dawson had always been obsessive about cleanliness. Once, a few stray dog hairs made it into his car and he refused to speak to me the rest of the day.”
But now?}
Elise kicked off her shoes, crumbs falling everywhere, and he just smiled. He even gently wiped the corners of her mouth with his fingers.} “You little greedy kitten. I’ll have someone stock the car with your favorite snacks from now on.”
So it wasn’t that no one could dirty his car.
It was that no one else was Elise.
I turned my face toward the window, away from the scene.}
Dawson caught my expression in the rearview mirror.
“Elise needs to eat more. It helps her produce enough milk for the baby.“}
But just last night, her milk had overflowed so much that it stained everything.}] “It’s fine,” I said flatly. “As long as you’re happy.“}
He furrowed his brows, as if wanting to explain more, but I closed my eyes.
When we arrived at the Patterson family estate, I saw my mother–in–law joyfully playing with Elijah, the baby, as the housekeeper handed him over.”
The Patterson family never liked me.”
Back in university, I had told Dawson I was the second daughter of the Fernandez Corporation. But his parents had done their research, and discovered I had no real family background.
They saw me as a penniless nobody, beneath them.”
And when I failed to produce a child after years of marriage, their disdain turned into open hostility. They even pressured Dawson to divorce me.2
He never defended me.”
Now I saw it clearly–if he had truly loved me, how could he stay silent through all the gossip and humiliation?
Elise stepped out of the car, and instantly my mother–in–law handed her a bowl of nourishing bird’s nest soup. “You’ve just given birth, Elise. You need to replenish your body.“”
Elise tilted her head and gave a saccharine smile, her tone dripping with sarcasm.”
“Auntie, you’re so kind to me. People might mistake me for your real daughter–in–law. You should give this to Maxine instead–she’s so frail “%
My mother–in–law snorted, glaring at me.
“A hen who can’t lay eggs doesn’t deserve the Patterson family’s care!”
“Now that I have a grandson, and you’re helping to raise him, you’re part of our family, Elise.”!!
On the other hand, Dawson’s father, Michael, made a grand gesture. He handed Elise ten percent of Patterson Corporation’s shares. Such a generous gift–how could I not understand what it meant?”
Of course, they knew the truth!
1:14 PM ·
They knew this child was Dawson’s biological son.
It was a reward for bearing the Patterson family’s first–born grandson.
Elise lowered her head shyly. “This is too generous. I don’t know if I can accept…“}
Dawson tapped her nose affectionately, his eyes gleaming with indulgence.
“You’ve done so much for our family. If you wanted the moon, I’d pluck it down for you.“}]
My in–laws laughed and gathered around the couple, happily discussing the baby’s official adoption ceremony.
They looked like a complete, joyful family.”
And I… was the outsider.
I quietly got up and stepped into the garden for some fresh air.
However, Elise followed.}
“Don’t you think Elijah looks a lot like Dawson? If you didn’t know better, you’d think he’s his biological son,” she said proudly.
I smiled faintly. “Who knows? Maybe they’re brothers.“}
Her expression twisted. Then, without warning, she yanked down the neckline of her dress, revealing a trail of purplish–red kiss marks across her chest.
“My husband is a beast in bed. I wonder if Dawson is that wild with you too?“}
“Well,” I said coldly, turning away, “ravenous dogs don’t exactly hold back, do they?“} Annoyed, Elise’s face suddenly darkened. She leaned in, her voice low and dangerous. “Then let’s see if this mad dog bites.“@
Before I could react, she shrieked–and flung herself down the stone steps behind me.
184PM 0.
