Chapter 3
Arlene's POV
"Arlene!" Caspian steadied Serafina, glaring at me with fury. "What the hell is wrong with you?"
"Nothing's wrong with me." I kept my eyes locked on Serafina. "I just don't want her touching my child."
"She only wanted to hold her!" Caspian's voice rose several decibels. "Was that really necessary?"
Serafina hung her head, her voice trembling. "Arlene, I'm sorry... I just thought the baby was so cute, I couldn't help myself... I didn't mean anything by it..."
She lifted her face, tears sliding down her cheeks, the picture of wounded innocence.
"Look what you've done to Serafina!" Rowena took a step back with the baby, eyeing me with disgust. "Postpartum madness is one thing, but this is something else entirely!"
"She's your husband's friend, not some villain!"
She's the woman who murdered my daughter.
Images from my previous life flashed through my mind—
After Serafina returned, I was cast out of the Valcour home.
My daughter stayed behind.
I begged them to let me see her. They refused.
It wasn't until later that I learned what Serafina had done to her.
She smashed my daughter's favorite toy right in front of her.
She deliberately frightened her until she couldn't breathe from crying.
When no one was watching, she pinched my daughter's arms, leaving bruises scattered across her skin.
And Caspian? He knew nothing.
Or rather, he didn't want to know.
On my daughter's third birthday, I wasn't invited—her own mother. I snuck into the estate just to catch a glimpse of her.
My daughter saw my disfigured face and burst into terrified screams. That night, my daughter died.
"Respiratory failure," they said.
"Her own mother frightened her to death," they said.
It was only later that I discovered the truth: Serafina had seized the opportunity to kill my daughter, and everyone believed I was the murderer.
In this life, I would never let Serafina lay a single finger on my child.
"Caspian." Serafina tugged gently at his sleeve, dabbing at her tears. "Let it go. It's my fault... I shouldn't have tried to hold the baby without asking... Arlene just gave birth, she's not feeling well, it's natural for her to be emotional..."
"Don't blame her..."
"Serafina, you're too kind." Rowena looked at her with heartache. "You don't need to lower yourself to her level."
"Mother's right." Caspian pulled Serafina close, his eyes cutting into me like ice. "Arlene, you'd better remember what happened today."
"Once you've recovered, we're settling this divorce."
"As for custody—don't even think about it."
With that, he wrapped his arm around Serafina and walked out.
Rowena placed the baby back in my arms and let out a cold huff. "Take care of yourself. I'll send a maid to look after you shortly."
Aldrich glanced at me without a word and followed his wife out.
The door slammed shut behind them.
The next day, I slipped out of the hospital with my daughter in my arms.
I didn't go back to the Valcour estate. Instead, I went to a small apartment I had hastily rented.
My mind was made up—if they wanted me to leave the child behind and walk away with nothing, then I would draw up the divorce papers myself and take my daughter with me.
This time, I would be the one in control.
I had my lawyer deliver the divorce agreement to the Valcour residence.
The terms were simple: The wife voluntarily relinquishes all claims to marital assets and requests only full custody of the child.
Two days later, Caspian called.
"Arlene, where the hell have you taken my daughter? Don't forget I'm her father too. My parents have every right to see their granddaughter."
"Caspian, all I want is my daughter. Nothing else." My voice was steel. "Isn't this what you wanted? You've always said I was an eyesore. You've always blamed me for ruining your love story with Serafina. Fine—I'm taking our daughter and leaving. Consider it my blessing to you both."
Caspian's laugh was bitter. "Keep dreaming. You're obviously planning to use the child as some kind of leverage. If you come back now—come back and confess to my grandmother all the dirty tricks you've pulled to keep me and Serafina apart, and apologize to Serafina—maybe I'll let you stay at the estate with the baby."
"I don't want your charity." I hung up.
