Me & Child: Fake Lady’s Stepping Stones Chapter 03

Me & Child: Fake Lady’s Stepping Stones Chapter 03 The Real Home

I spent a week recovering in the hospital room before I was finally discharged.

During that time, Cassie kept texting me.

Through her relentless taunts, I finally learned the whole truth.

From the very beginning, Tyler had only married me for Cassie’s sake.

And Dad was never as cold toward Cassie as he pretended to be.

All three of them had maintained another home outside the Kents’ house ever since I returned.

Or maybe, to Dad and Tyler, that villa was their real home.

Back at the mansion, Dad looked at me with doting eyes. “Tomorrow’s your wedding anniversary with Tyler. I won’t be home. You two should celebrate properly.”

Tyler gazed at me, his eyes full of love.

I felt a sudden urge to laugh. My marriage to Tyler was a complete sham. What was there to celebrate?

But seeing their faces, I suddenly didn’t feel like saying anything.

I gave a slight nod. Watching Tyler’s overjoyed expression, I felt nothing but ironic.

The next day, Dad left the house early, just as expected.

That night, Cassie texted me again.

“Today’s my birthday. Care to guess whether Tyler will choose to spend your anniversary with you or celebrate my birthday with me?

“Oh, and Dad’s here with me too. He even made my cake himself.”

Attached to the messages was a video.

In it, Cassie cheerfully called out “Dad”, while he gazed back at her with nothing but pure adoration.

Behind them sat a cake, clearly made with love.

I couldn’t bring myself to watch any more.

About a minute later, Tyler’s phone buzzed.

He picked it up, and his expression turned hesitant.

After a brief pause, he spoke up with resolve. “Monica, something’s come up at the company. I need to go handle it. I’ll spend time with you later, alright?”

I gave him a cold look and nodded He breathed a sigh of relief in an instant

“I knew you’d be the best. I love you so much. I’ll bring you back a gift,” he said.

With that, he grabbed the suit jacket lying nearby and hurried out the door.

His jacket pocket was bulging. I knew exactly what it was-the birthday gift he’d bought for Cassie.

The thought nearly made me laugh until I cried.

After Tyler left, I hailed a cab and followed him at a distance, in no particular hurry.

When we reached the villa, I stood alone outside, watching the heartwarming scene through the floor-to- ceiling window.

Tyler picked up some frosting and, with affection. gently dabbed it on Cassie’s cheek.

Dad shot Tyler a look of mock scolding, then knelt on one knee and placed a princess crown on Cassie’s head.

The entire villa was filled with traces of the three of them.

Countless photos of Cassie from childhood to adulthood.

Meticulously kept plants, and an entire wall dedicated to documenting her life.

She was the princess in her castle, while my child and I were nothing but rats in the gutter.

I crouched down, laughing so hard I had to wipe away tears.

Only when everything inside fell silent did I take out my phone and message my mentor.

“Professor, about that five-year closed research project you mentioned-can I still join?”

A reply came almost instantly.

After I read it, all expression drained from my face, leaving only numb stillness.