Chapter 2

Damian was speechless, his mouth opening and closing, but no words came out. The high-ranking officials and their families in the hall stared, utterly bewildered. In the stifling silence, a baby's cry pierced the air, startling everyone.

Martha rushed to take the baby and soothe him. The next second, she opened her mouth and spat at me, "Anya! You crazy hag, you're divorced! Why are you still bothering my son? Get out of here while you still have some sense, or if you offend an important person, you'll end up in jail!"

Mrs. Hayes, the Deputy Commissioner's wife, also snapped, "Even if you are Detective Damian's ex-wife, you can't assault people publicly! This is considered assaulting an officer!"

As soon as my identity was revealed, the hall erupted. People clamored about throwing me in jail to teach me a lesson. But I just frowned, grabbing Damian's collar, about to ask how I, his lawful wife, had suddenly become an ex.

But Serena beat me to it, shrinking into Damian's arms, looking at me with tear-filled eyes. "Anya… Damian has already divorced you. Why are you still harassing us…" Her tears flowed relentlessly. "It's all my fault. I'll give Damian back to you, okay…"

At her words, Damian's expression darkened. He glared at me, suppressing his rage. "Anya! I told you I wouldn't get back with you! Stop bothering us!"

"Get out before I lose my patience! I don't have time for this!"

With that, Damian motioned, and several officers rushed forward, intending to forcibly remove me. Struggling, I stumbled and bumped into Martha. But as I caught a glimpse of the baby in her arms, my world crashed down.

The baby Martha held, supposedly Serena's child, was my firstborn, Leo! The child I'd endured seven agonizing hours to bring into the world! But my baby had died three months ago, and Damian had personally cremated him—

Damian… My breath caught, my eyes welling with intense pain. Goddammit, Damian! He faked our child's death to trick me, just to give him to Serena to raise!

"Give me back my child! He's my Leo!"

My teeth gritted, I snatched the swaddled infant, pushed Martha aside, and cradled the crying baby, my heart aching and tears streaming down my face. Serena, suddenly panicked, rushed forward, crying and trying to grab the baby. Her voice was choked and trembling.

"Anya, he's not your child!"

"I know Leo died, and you've gone mad with grief. Even after the divorce, you kept bothering Damian, wanting another child…" She looked at the crowd. "I pitied you for your loss and tolerated so much, but you can't steal my child!"

"Please, just leave our family alone… I can divorce Damian, just please give me back my baby!"

Hearing this, Damian's face contorted in pain. He gripped Serena's shoulders tightly, stopping her. "Serena, I forbid it!"

"Don't even think about divorce. No one can break apart our family of three."

"What about me?!" I roared, cutting him off. Watching them exchange tender words, I pointed to my heavily pregnant belly, speaking each word to Damian through gritted teeth. "Damian, I'm carrying your child in my womb! You cheat on me right in front of my face, you call me your ex-wife, aren't you disgusted with yourself?!"

His throat bobbed, and his gaze shifted, avoiding mine. Serena's tears, however, flowed even harder, as if she were the most wronged person in the world. She turned to the guests, sobbing.

"I'm so sorry, everyone. Sister Anya is Damian's ex-wife. She went mad after losing her child during a difficult labor."

"Later, she kept badgering Damian for another child. After he refused, she… she found other men to get pregnant…" Serena's voice broke perfectly. "Damian, out of old affection, often looked after her, but I never thought she would try to force him to accept another man's child, and… and even threaten us into divorcing…"

Her words instantly ignited the fury of everyone present. The wealthy women immediately started yelling in disgust. "A crazy slut? She wants to be both! Someone! Get this harridan out of here!"

Gently soothing the baby in my arms, I let out a cold laugh. My gaze turned to Serena, eyes like ice. "Who's the hypocrite trying to play the innocent victim, Serena? Don't you know your place? Do I need to remind you how much you sold your blood for per milliliter?"

"Weren't you the one who took 30 million dollars from me, then knelt at my feet, begging for a stable job?"

Serena's face grew paler and paler with my words, but I didn't stop. "What, Damian's allowance isn't enough to keep you? So now you're trying to steal my entire life?"

"You're a mistress trying to act like the legitimate wife. Doesn't your face hurt?" I wasn't even finished speaking when a sudden shove sent my heavily pregnant body stumbling.