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"I was still sick, but it suddenly cleared up."
"I saw a doctor—he says I'm fine, no more medicines."
James studied her, realizing she was no longer the innocent girl who followed him, calling him" big brother."
Disgust overwhelmed him.
"Mom, Dad, I won't divorce Claire. She's my only wife."
"Miss Hayes staying here is improper. Send her away—don't ruin her reputation."
"James..."
He didn't let Ellen speak, storming off.
In the backyard, he ignored the maid's pleas, rolled up his sleeves, and dug through the trash.
His white shirt stained, glass shards cut his fingers.
When he carefully retrieved the three infant corpses, he smiled faintly.
"Good. Daddy found you."
Under a locust tree, he dug a deep pit and buried them.
Thunder cracked, and rain poured down.
James knelt by the grave, letting the rain soak him.
Nearby maids whispered.
"I heard those jars held Madam's three stillborns. What got into her to send them to the master and mistress?"
"The young master should marry Miss Hayes, as his parents say. Claire's had three stillbirths—must've done something wicked, cursed by God."
"We should avoid the backyard. He buried them here—bad luck. I don't want to be cursed like her."
James's face darkened.
He hadn't realized outsiders saw me this way.
No wonder I resisted visiting the Carter estate.
He thought his care and companionship shielded me from the pain of losing our children.
He thought curing Ellen and having a healthy child with me would erase my hurt.
He couldn't imagine how I'd been judged at the estate these three years.
The more he thought, the heavier his breathing.
He spotted a glint in the pond.
Emerging, he held the wedding ring I'd thrown away.
Recalling that day—my raised hand, Ellen's fall—he rushed to the security room, pulling the footage.
The video clearly captured Ellen's words, taunting me, dodging my hand, and jumping into the pond with a smirk.
Remembering how he'd forced me to apologize, regret consumed him.
He'd blamed me without evidence, all for a vicious woman.
He'd killed his three children and driven away his wife…
Rain fell endlessly.
He couldn't tell if his face was wet with tears or rain.
Regret and guilt overwhelmed him.
When the rain stopped, he checked his phone for my messages, accidentally opening a call recording.
It was my morning call.
Ellen's gentle voice delivered demonic words.
Ellen's voice, sweet yet venomous, confessed everything.
"Claire, I'm sorry. I know I was wrong..."
"I'll make it right.I'll avenge you and our children!"
