Chapter 3

"Natural?"

I laughed bitterly. "Then what about the agreement Aaron and I signed? Is it just scrap paper?"

"Claire!" Grandfather's tone grew heavier.

"You are the lady of the Hayes family. You need to think long-term. As long as that woman doesn't enter the family and doesn't threaten your position..."

"Why not give Aaron some face in public?"

"Besides..."

Grandfather's gaze swept over my flat stomach, his meaning clear.

"These past five years, there's been no movement from your belly. The Hayes family empire needs an heir."

"Aaron keeping a backup outside is for the family's sake."

I felt cold all over.

In their eyes, my inability to conceive was the original sin.

Aaron's infidelity was soft-heartedness, the illegitimate child was securing the bloodline, and my anger was being unreasonable.

"What if I insist on divorce?"

I stared at Grandfather.

His face darkened. He slammed his teacup on the table. "Nonsense!"

"Do you think divorce is child's play? Hayes Group's stock price can't withstand turmoil right now."

"Those shares you hold are the family's guarantee to you, but also our leverage over you."

"You think you can walk away with Hayes family money? Not that easy!"

Grandfather narrowed his eyes.

I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms.

In this wealthy family, there was no warmth—only calculated interests.

Someone knocked on the office door.

The secretary entered awkwardly. "Chairman, Mr. Hayes is here... and he brought the child."

Then Aaron walked in.

He was carrying Miles, with Ruby following timidly behind.

"Grandpa." Aaron didn't even dare look at me. He went straight to Grandfather with the child.

"Miles heard you was here and insisted on seeing you."

Though Miles looked pale, he obediently called out, "Hello, Grandpa Hayes."

Grandfather's stern face immediately softened.

"Good child. Very well-behaved."

Grandfather reached out and patted the child's head.

Ruby stood in the corner, stealing a glance at me.

That look didn't match her fragile appearance—instead, it carried a hint of smugness.

As long as Grandfather acknowledged this great-grandson, even if she couldn't enter the family, she'd be credited with a great contribution to the Hayes family.

And I would eventually be swept out the door.

Aaron looked at me with newfound confidence:

"Claire, even Grandpa says so. Just consider it for the family's sake..."

The nausea in my stomach could no longer be suppressed. I covered my mouth and rushed to the restroom, vomiting violently.

When I returned, Ruby was suddenly kneeling before me, crying.

"Claire, I know I shouldn't have come back, but Miles needs heart surgery."

"The best specialist in the country is in this city. I'm trying to save my child's life!"

She looked up, her face the picture of pitiful vulnerability:

"As soon as Miles's surgery is successful, I'll take him and leave immediately. I won't get in your way."

"Claire, you're a woman too. You've had a child before. Please, have mercy on a mother's heart..."