Neil stood tall before her, his posture erect, unaided by the wheelchair. He leaned down, seizing her jaw in a cold grip.

“Why did you betray me?” he demanded.

The child was now three years old. She had borne the child while overseas, yet she had claimed to suffer for him, miss him, and love him!

Neil’s laugh was scornful. His hold on her jaw tightened, his fingers pressing as though he might crush it.

Tears streamed down Lise’s cheeks as she shook her head, begging, “No, hear me out, I was forced, the child…”

Neil slapped her sharply across the face. The force of the blow sent Lise crashing to the floor, her features swelling from the impact, distorting her once delicate face. The sight was repulsive.

Despite the ringing in her ears, Lise crawled toward Neil, grabbing his pant leg as she cried out, “Neil, you have to believe me. I was forced. I never wanted that child.”

If she had known the extent of Neil’s influence, she would never have left the country. She would have stayed by his side, no matter the circumstances. Her years spent overseas had yielded nothing but trouble.

Neil’s gaze remained cold as he gripped Lise’s hair, pulling her up.

“Do you think you can still make a fool of me?” he spat.

He had once loved her deeply, trusted her completely. Each time, he had forgiven her, yet Lise always tested the limits of his patience.

Tears flowed from Lise’s eyes as she shook her head, looking up at Neil, struggling to explain.

“No, I was intoxicated, and those people approached me, they even touched me and…”

Her voice was muffled by sobs, her breaths ragged amidst her crying.

Suddenly, Neil hurled a stack of documents at her, his tone cold as he said, “How dare you still keep making up stories!”

gα? ησ ν ?s?com is your story hub

Lise tried to continue her explanation, but her eyes fell on photographs showing her being overly familiar with a man in a bar. The images depicted her with her arms draped around the man’s neck, dressed in seductive lingerie.

The man preferred bold women, prompting Lise to dress provocatively to attract him, leading them to a private room. There, in front of his friends, he took advantage of her.

Lise could still recall that day with crystal clarity. The images seemed as fresh as if they had happened the day before, all documented in photos. The surveillance footage left her with no grounds for denial.

There were even records of her pregnancy. She had hoped the child would tie her to the man, dreaming of marrying into his powerful family. In the end, everything came crashing down.

Neil’s gaze remained cold as he faced her.

“What’s your explanation now?”

Lise looked at Neil, tears streaming down her face, and explained, “I was forced into it. I didn’t want this.”

Neil leaned back in his chair, his voice icy as he asked, “How am I supposed to trust you? Show me your loyalty in a way that proves your sincerity—kill your son.”

Lise quickly lifted her head to meet Neil’s gaze. Terror filled her eyes as she shook her head, her hands trembling. She whispered, “No…”

Though the child had initially been a strategy to secure her future, she had lovingly raised him for three years. How could she even consider harming him?

.

.

.