No Room For Your Bastard

Three years into our marriage, a woman showed up at the Williams manor, dragging a five-year-old boy with her.

The boy was a spitting image of my husband, Alexander.

With swollen, tear-stained eyes, the woman sobbed, Even if you hate me, Alexander, the child is innocent.

The little boy looked up at him, whimpering, "Daddy..."

Alexanders heart melted. He let them into the house.

Later, he pulled me aside, explaining that the boy was just the result of a wild, drugged night from his college yearsa mistake.

"Its just one more mouth to feed, Elena," he promised, kissing my forehead. "It wont change anything between us."

I agreed. But that child hated my guts.

He called me a homewrecker, smashed my expensive perfumes, and locked me out of the house in the freezing rain.

And every single time, Alexander would shrug it off with the same old excuse: "Elena, he's just a child."

Until the day that "child" shoved me, six months pregnant, directly into oncoming traffic.

I survived. My baby did not.

Lying in the hospital bed, I looked up to see Alexander watching me with a cold, detached expression.

"If you had treated Leo like your own son, he would never have done this," he said.

At that exact moment, the last piece of my heart withered away.

As soon as he walked out, I dialed my brothers number.

"Daniel," I whispered, my voice trembling but cold. "Im divorcing him. Destroy the Williams family."

Not long after I hung up, the heavy wooden door of the VIP suite was pushed open.

Alexander walked in, holding Leos hand.

The boys head was down, his lower lip jutting out in a stubborn pout. He looked completely unrepentant.

"I didn't do it on purpose," Leo muttered. "She just didn't stand still."

Alexander gave the back of the boy's head a firm pat, his voice deepening. "Apologize, Leo."

"Daddy..." Leos eyes instantly filled with tears. "Im not apologizing to her!"

"She stole you from us! If it weren't for her, my mommy would be Mrs. Williams!"

"The baby in her tummy was a bad guy too!"

He burst into tears and threw his arms around Alexanders waist. "Daddy, I just want my mommy. Why don't you want her anymore..."

Silence stretched across the hospital room, heavy and suffocating.

Alexander held the boy close, remaining silent for a long time.

Eventually, he just stroked the boys back and murmured, "Alright, buddy. Stop crying."

He didn't force Leo to apologize again.

After the nanny took the boy out, Alexander walked over and sat on the edge of my bed.

"Hes still young, Elena. He doesnt understand."

"Ive already scolded him."

I stared down at my flat stomach, my throat burning. "So, my baby deserved to die?"

Alexander stiffened.

I let out a dry, humorless laugh. "Alexander, this isn't the first time."

Since Leo moved into our house, my life had become a horror movie.

He had secretly swapped my prenatal vitamins with unidentified pills.

He had poured pesticide into my morning milk.

He had even sneaked peanut powder into my salad when the chef wasn't looking.

I have a severe, life-threatening peanut allergy.

How could a five-year-old child be so calculated, so evil?

I wasn't stupid. I had investigated that woman, Chloe.

But every time I brought the evidence to Alexander, he would just rub his temples with an exhausted sigh.

"Elena, Leo is just a kid. Don't overthink things."

Later, when I demanded we send the boy back to his mother, Alexander spent the entire night smoking on the balcony.

The next morning, he gave me a final answer.

"No."

"That woman only came back for my money. Leo is only safe under my roof."

From that day on, Alexander stepped up as a devoted father.

He drove Leo to school every morning.

He read him bedtime stories.

He built Lego sets with him and taught him how to ride a bike.

Meanwhile, the time he spent with me dwindled to almost nothing.

The only sound in the hospital room was the rhythmic, clinical beep of the heart monitor.

Finally, Alexander sighed and spoke in a low voice.

"I will make this up to you, Elena."

"Ask for anything you want. Just don't ask me to send Leo away."

The corner of my mouth twitched. "Then we have nothing left to talk about."

Looking at my pale, ghost-like face, a flicker of guilt finally crossed his eyes.

"Elena," he said, taking my cold hand. "Ive already lost and found one child. Are you asking me to abandon him again?"

"You need to understand, no one can ever take your place as Mrs. Williams."

I stared at him, suddenly finding the whole situation pathetic.

Three years ago, he spent millions at an auction just to buy back my late mothers vintage brooch.

He once rented out the entire harbor just to put on a private light show because I casually mentioned I liked the night sky.

Back then, I thought he loved me.

But the moment Leo appeared, I woke up from the fairy tale.

Romantic love fades, but blood ties are forever.

I gently touched my empty stomach, where a dull, tearing pain still lingered.

I raised my eyes to meet his.

"Let's get a divorce, Alexander."

The room fell dead silent.

Alexanders eyes darkened, and he let out a low, mocking chuckle.

"A divorce? Over a kid's mistake?"

He looked at me, his disappointment palpable.

"Elena, I know youve never accepted Leo. I know you hate Chloe. But I've told you a thousand times."

"You are my only wife."

"What could a five-year-old child and a woman who will never set foot in the Williams social circle possibly do to threaten you?"

Alexander always referred to Chloe as "that woman."

As if by erasing her name, he could erase their past.

But he didn't realize that a mother would do absolutely anything to secure her childs future.

The day of the incident, my chauffeur had parked the car right outside the mall entrance.

Being six months pregnant, my movements were slow and heavy.

Suddenly, Leo pointed across the street and squeaked, "Elena, look! A kitty!"

I instinctively turned my head. In that split second, a pair of small hands pushed hard against my lower back.

I stumbled forward, losing my balance, and tumbled straight onto the busy road.

The screech of brakes echoed in my ears.

A speeding sedan couldn't stop in time.

Following a violent impact, warm, sticky blood began to flow down my legs, soaking my dress.

As my consciousness faded, I saw Leo standing on the sidewalk.

He wasn't crying. He was looking down, whispering into his smart-watch.

"Mommy... shes bleeding a lot."

From the other end, Chloe's voice sounded chillingly calm.

"Stay back. Wait a few minutes before calling for help."

"Remember, Leo. We can't let her have that baby."

"Only then will everything your father owns belong to you."

"Once I'm back with your dad, we'll be a real family again."

I closed my eyes.

The mall entrance, the sidewalk, the parking lot... there were security cameras everywhere.

If Alexander had cared to look, the truth was right there.

But he never did. Or maybe he knew all along and just chose to cover it up.

Because Leo was his flesh and blood, the son he felt he owed a debt to.

He would always soften his stance toward Chloe because of their son.

On the day I was discharged, the nurse looked around the empty room, confused. "Where is your husband?"

I looked down at my phone.

A text from Alexander had arrived minutes ago: [Leo says his mom is sick. Don't worry, I won't go see her. I'm just setting her up with a private doctor.]

I took a deep breath, swallowing the bitterness. "He's dead."

The nurse gasped, but seeing my expression, she offered a sympathetic smile. "Congratulations on your new beginning."

Once I was physically recovered, I immediately began auditing our joint assets.

When we got married, my familys conglomerate, the Franklin Group, had injected nearly a billion dollars into the Williams Group. Detangling our finances was going to be a messy, brutal war.

Carrying a stack of legal documents, I walked out of my familys office building. On my way back, I got caught in heavy school-hour traffic.

My car happened to be stopped right in front of an upscale private kindergarten.

"Daddy! You came to pick me up today!"

I gripped the steering wheel, glancing at the rearview mirror. Leo had just hopped into the backseat of my SUV.

It was Alexanders usual car, and the boy hadn't even looked before jumping in.

When he realized I was the one in the driver's seat, his face turned pale.

"Ah! Elena..."

Before I could say a word, a woman rushed over, yanked the door open, and snatched Leo into her arms.

"What are you doing? Why are you trying to take my son!"

"Just because you lost your own baby doesn't mean you can steal mine! Leo didn't mean to do it!"

I narrowed my eyes.

It was Chloe.

Leos eyes darted around, and he buried his face in her neck, sobbing.

"Mommy, she always hits me when you're not around!"

"She starves me and won't let me talk to Daddy!"

Chloe gasped, looking horrified.

"How can you be so cruel? How could you abuse my little boy!"

"He might not be your biological son, but he is my absolute world..."

The surrounding crowd consisted of wealthy moms waiting for their kids. Hearing this, they began whispering and glaring at me. Some even threw half-eaten snacks at my car window.

"Gosh, stepmothers are always evil. She's clearly taking advantage of the poor boy because his real mom isn't around."

"Exactly. Look at her driving that luxury car. She probably used dirty tricks to squeeze the real mother out of the picture."

Chloe held Leo tight, weeping as if she were the ultimate victim.

I calmly rolled up the window, picked up some tissues, and wiped my hair.

Then, I sent a text to Alexander: [Get over here.]

The text showed "Read," but there was no reply.

I followed up with: [Leos kindergarten.]

He instantly requested my location and arrived within ten minutes.

After assessing the situation, Alexander cast a cold glance at the mother and son clinging to each other.

Chloe swallowed hard, looking terrified.

"I-I'm sorry, Alexander. I was just so worried about Leo. I misunderstood your wife..."

Alexander didn't even look at her. He turned to me. "I know you're angry. I'll make her apologize."

Chloe took the hint immediately. She bowed her head, looking utterly humiliated. "I am so sorry, Mrs. Williams."

Alexander waved his hand dismissively, signaling her to take the boy and leave.

I tapped my fingers on the steering wheel, letting out a cold chuckle. "Thats it?"

Alexander watched Chloes retreating figure. After a long moment, he sighed.

"Shes still the boy's mother, Elena. Don't push her too hard."

I looked away, my chest tightening.

When I first found out about Chloe, Alexander had told me:

"I was only nineteen when she drugged me."

"She did it for the money. If I ever see her again, I'll make sure she pays."

And yet, here he was.

Staring into the eyes of the woman who shared his son's face, his resolve had crumbled.

An old flame, rekindled through their shared child.

I hit the gas and drove off, leaving him standing in the rain.

Water droplets began to splatter against the windshield, mirroring the silent tears building in my eyes.

Just then, my phone buzzed.

It was a message from the legal team at the Franklin Group:

[All assets and personnel have been accounted for. We are ready to pull our capital from the Williams Group at your command.]

I typed back without hesitation: [Do it tomorrow. The faster, the better.]

When I got home, I began reviewing the divorce papers, checking the asset distribution line by line.

Before our wedding, I had made Alexander sign a prenup.

One clause was non-negotiable: If either party fathered or mothered a child outside of the marriage, they would walk away with absolutely nothing.

Back then, under the harbor fireworks, he had signed it without a second thought.

I still remembered how my heart leaped that night.

But now, looking at the same signature, I felt absolutely nothing.

The bedroom door opened. Alexander walked in, the faint scent of a womans perfume clinging to his jacket.

"Still mad?"

He sat on the edge of the bed. "I sent Leo to his moms place for the night."

"I know you love kids, Elena. I'll talk to Leo. I'll make him call you 'Mommy.'"

Without looking up from my laptop, I replied coldly, "He will never be my child."

Alexanders face hardened. He walked to the window and lit a cigarette.

"Elena, I don't get it. Why can't you just accept Leo?"

"It seems like you've hated him from the very beginning."

He was wrong. Leo was the one who hated me.

When we first met, I had bought him an expensive toy car to welcome him.

In return, he used that very toy to trip me down the stairs, killing my unborn child.

Thinking of this, I shut my laptop and looked him dead in the eye.

"You know exactly why, Alexander."

"What?"

"Every time you look at that boy, you see his mother."

Alexanders hand shook, almost dropping his cigarette.

After a long pause, he let out a harsh laugh.

"If there were still anything between Chloe and me, do you really think you'd be sitting here as my wife?"

My heart felt like it was being squeezed by a cold hand.

He looked down on Chloes cheap tricks, but that didn't stop him from using her to hurt me.

Seeing that I remained silent, a smug smile returned to his face.

"Be good, Elena. Didn't you want to see the Northern Lights? I cleared my schedule for a three-day trip. We leave tomorrow, okay?"

I turned my head away, refusing to engage.

The next morning, Alexander saw my packed suitcases by the door and smiled softly.

"You already packed? And here I thought you didn't want to go."

Just as I was about to pull out the divorce papers, Leo came bursting through the front door, crying.

"Daddy! Today is the School Open House!"

"All the other kids have their moms and dads there. They laugh at me because my parents aren't together..."

"Daddy, please come with Mommy. Just this once, please?"

Alexander looked at the boy, then at me. After a long silence, he nodded.

The trip to see the Northern Lights was postponed. Again.

He couldn't even look me in the eye as he walked out the door.

A few minutes later, a text popped up on my phone:

[I'm only doing this for Leo. I'll just drop him off and leave.]

I stared at the screen, laughing silently.

This time it was a school event. What would it be next time?

A family portrait? A family dinner? A family vacation?

With Leo bridging the gap, Alexander and Chloe would never be truly separated.

But luckily, I had already built my exit ramp.

At 2:00 PM, my bags were packed. I was waiting for the Franklin familys private car to pick me up.

But as I opened the front door, I ran straight into a sweating, panicked Alexander.

In his arms was a pale, whimpering Leo.

The boys leg was covered in blood, looking horrific.

Alexander was frantic, completely blind to my suitcases.

"Leo got hurt during the school event! Go get the first-aid kit and call our family doctor, quickly!"

Leo whimpered, reaching out his hands toward Chloe, who was sneaking in right behind them.

"I don't want Elena! I want Mommy! I only want my mommy..."

Outside the door, Chloe looked up with tears in her eyes.

"Alexander, please let me in. Just let me be with my boy!"

Alexander creased his brows.

Five years ago, he had kicked her out of his life.

But today, for the sake of his son, he stepped aside. "Come in."

A flash of triumph crossed Chloes eyes.

She quickly put on shoe covers, nervously playing with her worn-out shirt.

Alexander looked at her, his voice softening slightly. "Have you had a hard time raising him alone all these years?"

Chloe looked down, presenting her most vulnerable, fragile angle.

"As long as our boy didn't suffer, it was worth it."

It wasn't until the doctor arrived that Alexander seemed to snap out of his trance.

He stared at Chloes back as she followed the doctor into the bedroom, lost in thought.

I couldn't help but chuckle.

"Can't you see what she's doing, Alexander?"

Alexander was a grown, highly educated businessman. Of course he knew she was playing him.

But he just sighed.

"She is Leos mother. Preventing her from seeing her injured child would be inhumane."

"Her little schemes... they are understandable. At least her love for her son is real."

He rubbed his forehead.

"Whatever. I don't need to explain this to you."

"You've never been a mother, Elena. You wouldn't understand."

Whenever Alexander was frustrated, he knew exactly which words would cut me the deepest.

I looked down, my hands trembling as I thought of my lost baby.

Maybe it was a blessing that my child was never born into this mess.

Alexander felt the awkward silence and was about to say something when Leos voice called out from the bedroom.

"Wheres Daddy? I want Daddy!"

"My leg hurts! I want Daddy and Mommy to kiss it make it better!"

Alexander immediately turned and walked toward the bedroom.

The door was left wide open.

The three of them looked like a perfect, happy family sitting on the bed.

I clutched the small urn necklace resting against my collarboneit held the ashes of my unborn child.

A car horn honked from the driveway, pulling me back to reality.

"Ma'am, your ride is here," the butler whispered, looking at me with pity.

I took a deep breath, tossed my phones SIM card into the trash, and walked out the door without looking back.

Inside the house, Alexander stayed by Leos side until the boy fell asleep.

Slumping onto the sofa, he suddenly realized his words earlier might have been too harsh.

His wife had just lost their baby a few months ago.

She had been so excited for that child.

"Alexander, where are you going?" Chloe asked.

"None of your business."

Alexander stood up and walked out to find me.

As he looked around the empty living room, it finally clicked. Half of the houses decor was gone.

The only thing left on the coffee table was a signed divorce agreement.

Alexander scoffed, thinking I was just using this to threaten him again.

But then, his phone rang.

"Elena?" he answered quickly.

"Mr. Williams, it's not Mrs. Williams. It's the board of directors!"

The voice on the other end was hysterical.

"The Franklin Group has officially pulled all their investments! And Mrs. Elena has taken all her top tech experts with her! Our system is crashing!"