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"Claire, long time no see."
Ellen peeked from behind James, flashing a playful smile.
He explained," Mom and Dad haven't seen Ellen in ages. We're having a family dinner today, so I brought her along."
Fearing misunderstanding, he added," I was at the office all night, then picked her up this morning."
Ellen and James were childhood sweethearts, so it made sense his parents wanted to see her.
"Don't worry, I'm not overthinking. It's getting late—let's go."
Seeing I wasn't upset, James quietly relaxed.
He opened the passenger door for me, but Ellen slipped in.
"Claire, I'm frail and get carsick in the back."
She shot me a smug grin.
James didn't object, so I took the back seat.
On the drive, I closed my eyes, resting.
Ellen and James chatted about childhood memories, excluding me.
At the dinner table, because of my third stillbirth, James's parents gave me cold looks.
Pent-up grievances erupted.
Excusing myself as full, I headed to the garden.
I yanked off my wedding ring and hurled it into the pond.
Ellen appeared beside me, standing shoulder to shoulder.
"Claire, three years, no child for James. Must hurt."
"Premature babies don't always die."
"I saw one alive once. His eyes were gorgeous, like yours."
"Shame he never saw his mom before he died…"
"Enough."
I raised my hand, not even grazing her.
She fell into the pond.
Before I could react, James scooped her up, yelling at me.
"Claire, are you insane? Why attack Ellen?"
"You know she's frail—trying to kill her?"
Ellen, nestled in his arms, spoke weakly.
"I just saw Claire was sad about the baby and wanted to comfort her. I didn't expect her to push me..."
"Don't blame her. Losing a child hurts."
James's face hardened.
"Claire, apologize to Ellen!"
I laughed bitterly.
"Apologize? You two should be the ones apologizing!"
"Don't you know how my children died?"
Panic flickered in his eyes.
"Didn't the doctor say it was bad luck?"
"You can't blame innocent people just because you lost your kids."
His parents rushed over when they heard the commotion.
"A woman who can't carry on the Carter line—why bother with her?"
"We shouldn't have stopped you from being with Ellen. Her health's better than Claire's."
"Take Ellen inside to change—don't let her catch a cold."
Watching them leave, I gritted my teeth in hatred.
I stormed out of the Carter estate, taking a cab away.
Minutes later, James texted.
"Don't be upset about today. I was just acting. Ellen's got a cold and needs to stay here to recover, so I'll stay a few days to be with Mom and Dad."
"They're not really mad—they just want a grandchild. Buy some gifts in a few days to smooth things over."
Want a grandchild?
I'd make sure they got a gift they'd never forget.
Over the next three days, James didn't come home.
I got rid of everything in the house that was mine.
Before boarding my flight, I called James.
Ellen answered, whispering," Claire, James is cooking me porridge. No time for your call."
"You probably know the truth by now, but you might not know my illness was cured ages ago. Those three kids'hearts? I fed them to dogs."
"No such thing as a heart-based remedy—just a joke I made, and he believed it."
Before I could respond, James took the phone.
"Sweetheart, I was busy. What's up?"
I bit my lip so hard it bled.
"James, the gift for your parents is ready. It's on its way."
"Sweetheart, you're the best."
I hung up, tossed my SIM card, and boarded the plane.
James returned to Ellen's porridge, reminding the maid to deliver his gift to his parents.
Minutes later, his parents screamed in horror.
"What is this? James, get over here and see what Claire sent!"
