Chapter 2: ARE YOU WITH FAITH?

Laura's Point of View

Arriving at the Jackson villa, I can't stop thinking about Kairo with Faith. Their images together keep flashing in my mind. My chest tightens, and I feel like I'm getting sick all of a sudden.

I sit in the car for a few minutes, tears streaming down my face. After gathering myself, I finally entered the mansion.

As I walk up the stairs, I hear a voice behind me. "You're home early. Where's Kairo?"

I turn around to see Sara Jackson, my mother-in-law, looking disgusted. "Where's Kairo? Why are you alone?"

"I'm not feeling well, so I went home first to rest," I reply weakly.

Her eyebrow arches and her lips press into a thin line.

"Is your condition really bad, or are you just making excuses because you're lazy and want to take it easy?"

"Take it easy?" I react in disbelief.

"What kind of wife can't even go to a simple event with my son?" She rolls her eyes and folds her arms. "He's just wasting his money on you. You’re useless."

I should be numb to this by now. After all, my mother-in-law hates my guts. She never misses a chance to belittle me, reminding me constantly how unworthy I am of Kairo. From the moment we met, she's criticized everything about me—my clothes, my background, even the way I speak.

But her words still sting, especially now. After the humiliation at the banquet, her cruelty hurts even more. "Are you talking about the money for the infertility treatments?"

"Yes, all that money, and you still can't have a child! It's such a waste."

"But it's not just his money! I have shares in your company too!" I snap back angrily.

Yes, I admit my marriage with Kairo isn't about love; it's a business arrangement.

Our family business went bankrupt when I was in college after my dad passed away. It got worse when my mom remarried and neglected it. To save the company, my mom and stepfather arranged this marriage with the Jackson Group, and I had to drop out of college.

I can't accept her saying Kairo's money is wasted on me. Even though I'm not as wealthy as before, I know there's still enough to cover my needs and share the costs of infertility treatments.

"Shares? What are you proud of? Your bankrupt company? Didn't your mom give up and dump you on us?" she mocks.

I clench my fists until my knuckles turn white. "Can you just shut up for once? All you do is criticize and judge me like you're perfect!"

Her eyes widen, and her face turns red with anger. "How dare you talk back to me! You're worthless! The only reason Kairo married you was to have an heir!"

She points at me, her anger growing. "You brag about your family? Ha! Look at you! You dress like a rag and don't know how to act properly. You're just a freeloader living off this house!"

My heart feels like it's being hammered. I lower my gaze to my feet, trying to endure her words without provoking her further.

After a moment, she turns away, and I lift my head. She heads for the door but turns back with furious eyes. "Laura, don't get too comfortable. If you don't give Kairo a child soon, I will personally make sure you two get divorced!"

With that, she storms off. I'm left stunned for a few minutes before heading to my room. As soon as I enter, my stomach turns, and I feel dizzy. I rush to the sink and vomit. Where the hell is my damn husband when I need him most?

Tears stream down my face until I find myself out of breath from sobbing. My phone rings. I quickly grab it from my purse, and my heart sinks when I see who's calling. It's Kairo.

I think about how he defended Faith and blamed me at the banquet. The scene replays in my mind, rubbing salt into an already throbbing wound.

I stare at the screen for a few seconds, feeling a mix of hurt and anger. I take a deep breath, trying to steady my emotions before answering as calmly as I can, "What?"

He still sounds angry. "I just wanted to tell you that I have a meeting with a business associate and won't be home tonight."

My heart drops again. "Where are you..."

I stop as I hear a soft laugh on the other line. It feels like a bucket of cold water is poured over me. That familiar voice belongs to a woman. He’s with someone else right now.

My fingers tremble, and my heart races as I clutch the phone. Even though my lips quiver with anxiety, I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself.

The room feels like it's closing in on me, and my voice shakes as I force out the words, "Are you with Faith?"