Chapter 3

My heart ached.

Even my daughter knew that was Ryder, yet he never admitted it, hardening his heart against his own child.

I hugged my daughter tightly, trying hard to control my tears.

"Lily, sweetie, that's not Daddy. Daddy has left us."

That day, I immediately went to the military base to see the commanding officer, handed him the death certificate to report the death, and requested that Ryder's military status be revoked.

The commander said,

"I also heard about Major Ryder's sacrifice and deeply regret it."

"You are his family, and the organization will try its best to approve any requests you have."

I didn't hesitate, speaking the idea I had considered for a long time.

"I want to find a job on the military base, just enough to support my daughter and me."

The commander was a bit surprised:

"It will be very hard on the base, and you'll have to leave home. Have you thought this through?"

This was my goal. I nodded firmly.

The process was quickly completed. Not only was Ryder's military status revoked, but I was also given a pension and funeral expenses.

Back home, Ryder's mother was sitting in the yard. Seeing me come in, she spoke sharply.

"The whore is back? Her man's dead, and she's still out gallivanting all day. My son was truly unlucky to marry a wife like you."

Lily sat on the ground, sobbing with her head down, shelling corn.

Her little hands were covered in blisters, some of them broken, red and swollen.

Anger flared in my heart again, and I immediately picked up my daughter.

"Lily is only five! Can't you see her hands are all broken?!"

Ryder's mother put her hands on her hips and spat viciously:

"You cheap slut, you haven't given our family a child, and you dare talk back."

"You two outsiders, you don't work but you expect free food?"

I sneered:

"Since my husband is dead anyway, I'll just leave. I won't take advantage of your family."

Saying that, I turned to leave, but Ryder's mother wasn't happy. She rushed over to block me.

"If you leave, who will serve Serena while she's having our grandson? You've been eating and drinking for free in our house for years, don't think you can just walk away!"

Serena stood by the window, stroking her belly, looking at me with a triumphant expression.

"It's your fault for not having a son. My belly holds the Ryder family's only child, so you better take good care of me."

Ryder put one hand on her, ordering me:

"Mom is getting old, and Serena needs care. Don't be stubborn."

I couldn't help but scoff. When I gave birth to Lily, why didn't he say I needed care?

My water broke, and I went to the hospital by myself. No one in the family cared about me.

Ryder's mother disliked me for not having a son and was indifferent to me.

Ryder was nowhere to be seen, never asking a single question.

So why should I serve them!

I gritted my teeth, holding Lily, and returned to the room, carefully applying ointment to her hands.

As I walked out, I heard Ryder and Serena talking.

"Ryder, look at Layla. If you weren't here to replace Ronan and stay with me, she would have killed me."

Ryder's voice was gentle.

"Don't worry, Serena. For you and our child, I will protect you for life."

"Mom is also on your side; otherwise, why would she agree to me impersonating Ronan?"

I clenched my palms, my lips almost bleeding from biting them.

So, the child Serena was carrying was Ryder's. She and Ryder's mother both knew about Ryder's impersonation.

They had been involved for much longer than I thought. Only I knew nothing, having been deceived by him all this time.

Looking at Lily's sleeping face, I comforted myself, for the sake of the child, we would soon be able to leave this place.

Sure enough, two days later, I received news from the commander. He had arranged a job for me, and I could start anytime.

I immediately packed my things and prepared to leave.

But unexpectedly, as I stepped out the door, I came face to face with Ryder's ashen expression.

His gaze fell on the train ticket in my hand, his voice cold.

"Layla, where are you going?"