Chapter 5

Lillian kept saying it was impossible, but that same day she went to the hospital and confirmed she was pregnant.

The doctor said the pregnancy was still unstable. I suggested they not rush back.

I don't know what Charles managed to arrange, but they ended up staying over three months.

During that time, Monica Wilson asked several times. Each time I smiled and said:

"Still traveling and relaxing. They're having such a good time they don't want to come back."

When Lillian returned, her belly was already about four months along. Since it was winter, people just thought she'd gained a little weight.

But over time, Monica Wilson would eventually find out.

Lillian also worried that being seen by others would lead to questions that might affect her mood.

I booked a suite at the best prenatal care center in the province, with the reservation running until Lillian's due date.

Five months later, Lillian safely delivered a healthy baby boy at the hospital.

On the baby's celebration, I went door to door delivering gifts and sharing the good news.

Monica Wilson took the gift, her eyes wide as saucers:

"Valerie, when did you have a baby?"

I smiled without answering her question, just pushing the gift into her hands.

"Mrs. Wilson, remember to come visit!"

As soon as she closed the door, I heard her making a phone call.

"Mr. Collins, we have a problem..."

I smiled with satisfaction and turned to leave.

After all, Lillian was at that age—her body hadn't fully recovered by the Sip-and-See Party.

I had her rest in the back room while Charles and I greeted guests at the entrance with the baby.

Just as the guests were settling in and the atmosphere was getting lively, a figure strode in through the hall entrance.

"Valerie!"

After all this planning, Ethan finally appeared.

He walked right up to me.

"How dare you! Going behind my back to have a bastard child, thinking you can take over the Collins family assets?"

Charles obviously hadn't processed what was happening—his face showed only shock at seeing the supposedly dead Ethan.

The woman beside Ethan sneered.

"Valerie, I understand you've been lonely too long and wanted a man, but couldn't you have found someone better? This man is old and crippled..."

Before Sarah could finish, my palm struck her face:

"Watch your filthy mouth!"

Ethan immediately jumped to her defense, his voice rising eight octaves.

"Valerie, have you no shame! Acting like a whore and then daring to hit people?!"

I looked at him with cold eyes.

"If you can fake your death and run off to live it up, why wouldn't I dare hit someone?"

Ethan froze, as if unable to understand how I knew about his faked death.

But after the shock, he grew even angrier:

"I don't care what you say today or who you're with!"

"But the Collins family house and factory—you and this bastard child won't get a penny!"

Charles finally snapped out of it, his expression darkening. He was about to speak when I stopped him.

Then I smiled slowly.

"Who told you this is my son?"

He froze, then sneered.

"You're carrying a baby around delivering gifts to everyone. If he's not yours, whose is he?"

"You think you can use this bastard to claim a share of the Collins family assets? Dream on!"

He rambled on, spittle flying, his face full of a victor's smugness.

I looked down at the baby in my arms who'd been woken by the noise and gently patted him.

Once he quieted down, I raised my head to look at Ethan.

"You got one thing wrong. He's not a bastard. He's your biological little brother."