Chapter 4
The rim of the porcelain cup grazed my forehead, slicing the skin and drawing a thin trail of blood. I bowed my head instinctively, murmuring an apology. Across from me, Gerry sat on the plush, expensive sofa with Niana nestled in his arms—completely unmoved. He was no longer the powerless boy of years past. Now, he was Mr. Stall—the one the entire Stall Family obeyed. Even Madam Stall and the elders had learned to tread carefully around him. Eventually, Madam Stall tired of shouting. She sat down with a huff and picked up her tea again, taking a sip before casting him a glance. “What do you plan to do now?” “Let her give birth to the child,” Gerry said, his voice calm and firm—leaving no room for argument. Madam Stall’s eyes narrowed. She turned her gaze to Niana. “And what about you?” Niana bit her lower lip, tears streaking her face. “Isn’t it true love? Back then… I already lost one child.” A flicker of guilt flashed across Gerry’s face. He reached back, shielding Niana with his arm. When he looked at me again, his eyes were filled with hostility. “If it hadn’t been for her,” he spat, “your grandson would already be calling you Grandma.” I knelt there on the icy marble floor and in that moment, I felt cold down to my bones. After we broke up, life in the Stall household became even more unbearable. I tried, again and again, to explain everything to Gerry—but he wouldn’t listen. Then came the turning point. On the night he turned twenty, Niana came back. She called me, her voice trembling, saying Gerry had been in an accident. She gave me an address. Without thinking, I rushed there. When I arrived, clothes were strewn outside the small forest near the address. *** The next day, Gerry was punished once more—ordered to kneel in the ancestral hall. But this time, there was one major difference: Niana was pregnant. Madam Stall demanded she terminate the pregnancy, but Gerry refused. The conflict exploded within the ancestral hall. On the day of the scheduled surgery, I sneaked Gerry out of confinement—but it was too late. After that, Niana left the country, devastated. And Gerry? He found me, smashed my phone and left me with a single sentence. “You should be grateful you helped me escape. Otherwise, you’d be the one suffering today.” Oddly enough, after that, he started speaking to me again. I stared blankly at him now, realization dawning. So all this time… he blamed me for that night. For being the reason Niana lost the baby. But he never knew—I wasn’t alone that night. Someone had followed me. After that, Gerry spiraled. One woman after another. Parties, affairs, indulgence. Until one day, just before his wedding, Niana appeared again—this time at his bachelor party. “This child… I’m keeping it. It has nothing to do with Niana. Mom, please, stop trying to tear us apart.” For the first time in years, Gerry softened. Just that one word—“Mom”—was enough to melt even Madam Stall’s hardened heart. She sighed and shook her head. “The seven before you, who tried to steal what little affection was left… none were as stubborn as you. But now that she’s pregnant again, you…” She trailed off. “Madam!” The maid stepped forward with a steaming bowl of dark, bitter-smelling medicine. Madam Stall didn’t even look at me as she spoke. “Make a choice. If you still want to be Mrs. Stall, drink this. You’ll never have children. If not…” But she didn’t get to finish. Gerry spoke first. “Luna,” he said coldly. “Drink it.” I froze. My hands trembled. I looked up at him, disbelief clouding my eyes. “Why?” His gaze was like ice. “I’ve already told you—after Niana gives birth, she’ll recognize you as the child’s godmother. You won’t need to go through the pain of childbirth.” He paused, then added with quiet calculation, “And this way, our children won’t fight for affection or inheritance in the future. You’ve always been the obedient one, haven’t you? The sensible one. So do what’s right. Drink it.”