Chapter 2

This ruby is undeniably our family’s heirloom.

There are two pieces. One I gave to Brandon Mitchell for the woman he loves. The other, I’ve been holding onto for my younger son, planning to give it to him when he’s older.

But clearly, Jessica misunderstood everything. She tore the ruby from my neck, laughing through her tears.

"Brandon Mitchell, you liar!" she spat. "You told me you only loved me, but now I find you with this older woman."

She spiraled into a maddening rant, her words twisting. "I hate you. I hate you so much! But no matter how much I hate you, my heart still aches, and I can’t stop loving you."

Her tone grew darker, her eyes turning cold. "As long as they’re dead, nothing will stand between us."

"Yes, that's it!" she snapped, like a broken record.

Suddenly, she whipped out her phone and dialed someone. After a few moments, I heard her speaking to the person on the other end. "Brother, you need to help me fight for my love!"

But I had no time to focus on her meltdown. My son’s condition was worsening, and every second counted. I crawled to his bedside, my heart thumping wildly.

"Someone, please help my son!" I pleaded, nearly frantic. "He was bitten by a venomous snake, and his face is turning blue. If you don’t help him, he’ll die!"

The other nurses, clearly concerned, tried to reason with Jessica.

"If something serious happens, we could all be in trouble."

"Shouldn’t we get him into the ER first?" one of them suggested.

But Jessica scoffed, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the room. "Are you really going to side with the mistress?" she sneered.

"Remember, Brandon Mitchell’s dad is the hospital chairman. If I marry into the Mitchell family, your promotion opportunities are in my hands."

The nurses exchanged wary glances before quickly retreating, pretending to be busy.

I was desperate now, nearly begging. "Please, Jessica, let my son into the ER! You don’t understand—he’s dying!"

Her eyes turned ice-cold. "I want him dead," she said flatly. "That way, there’s nothing in the way of me and Brandon once we’re married."

"I don’t want to be a stepmother because of a child."

I tried to explain through the pain. "My son isn’t Brandon Mitchell’s child. He’s Brandon’s brother—his real brother."

Jessica looked at me like I was insane, then kicked me hard in the chest. "You keep calling him Brandon’s brother. Are you trying to tell me you’re Brandon Mitchell’s mother?" she hissed.

I nodded quickly, barely able to catch my breath. "Yes, I am. I’m Brandon Mitchell’s biological mother."

For a moment, she hesitated, her eyes narrowing as if she were trying to figure out if I was lying.

Before she could respond, the door crashed open.

A group of men burst in, led by a tall, blonde guy. He saw me, bruised and broken on the ground, and his face twisted in disgust.

"Who dares to steal my sister’s man?" he sneered.

Jessica stood tall, her expression full of triumph as she pointed at me. "Brother, it’s her. She’s the one claiming to be Brandon Mitchell’s mom."

The blonde guy laughed, giving me a dismissive once-over. "If she’s the director’s wife, then I’m the director," he mocked.

"Sis, don’t let her scare you. She’s just trying to mess with your head."

Jessica’s gaze turned hard, her suspicion now certainty. "I’m glad you came, or I would’ve believed this woman’s lies."

She closed the distance between us, her movements predatory. She slapped me hard across the face, over and over again.

My ears rang from the blows, but I couldn’t move. "Please, save my son... Please..." I begged, the words barely escaping my dry throat.

Jessica’s eyes lit up with malicious glee. "You want me to save him? Fine, then you’ll have to do something for me."

I looked up, panic rising. "What do you want?"

A cruel smile curled on her lips. "Strip. Slap yourself. And apologize for being a mistress in front of the camera. Admit that you shouldn’t have come between me and Brandon."

The words hit like a slap to my soul. The weight of her demand left me frozen in horror.