His Secretary Ruined Wedding, My Brother Crushed Him

Chapter 4

The next morning, I received two messages.

Caius: Happy tenth anniversary. I had your gift shipped overseas, so remember to sign up for it.

Alessia: Today is our little boy's first birthday. Don't forget to send a cash gift.

I didn't reply. I switched my phone to Do Not Disturb mode.

That evening, I arrived early at the birthday banquet using the address a former classmate had given me.

When I saw the signboard at the entrance of the ballroom and read it out loud, "Congratulations to Caius Frostmere and Alessia Holloway- Frostmere on the birth of their beloved son", I subconsciously clenched my fists.

My phone kept vibrating nonstop. Caius had actually taken the initiative to call me.

"Rosalie, why haven't you replied to any of my messages all day? Stop being upset... I've really been busy lately. I'll make it up to you for all the anniversaries in the future."

The moment I lifted my head, I saw Caius standing there in a tailored black suit.

"Caius, I'm at your son's first birthday banquet right now."

In the very next second, he abruptly turned his head toward me, and his phone slipped from his hand with a loud smack against the floor.

Alessia saw me as well. Her reaction was even more intense than his. Her hands trembled so violently that she nearly dropped the baby in her arms.

"Rosalie... weren't you overseas?"

The next second, the sharp sound of a slap echoed throughout the entire ballroom.

Alessia covered her face and screamed while the baby in her arms burst into loud cries.

The once lively banquet hall instantly fell silent.

Just as I was about to slap her a second time, Caius tightly grabbed my wrist.

"Rosalie, if you're angry, take it out on me. Don't touch them!"

Alessia clutched Caius' arm as tears streamed down her face.

"Caius... this is all my fault. I've wronged Rosalie..."

Caius wrapped his arms around her, his eyes filled with heartache and protectiveness.

"You did nothing wrong," Caius said softly as he tightened his arm around Alessia's trembling shoulders. His expression darkened with guilt as he lifted his eyes towards her. "I'm the one at fault."

He slowly let out a breath before turning to face me completely, his voice lowering into a strained apology, "Rosalie, I'm sorry..." His fingers curled tightly at his side. "Alessia's pregnancy was an accident, but I have to take responsibility for her and the child."

He paused briefly, his jaw clenching before he continued, "I'm the only son in my family. I can't let my bloodline end with me." His gaze flickered downward for a moment before returning to hers. "You can't have children, so this child..." He swallowed hard. "This child must stay."

With blurry tear-filled eyes, Alessia softly tried to persuade me, "Rosalie, can you really bear to let Caius end his family line?"

They both knew this matter was the deepest scar I carried, yet they spoke of it so casually, twisting the knife deeper into my wound.

Caius stepped forward and held my hand, his tone almost pleading, "Rosalie, our marriage is only for the child's legal registration. Once he's older, we'll divorce... Just wait for me a few more years... I promise I'll give you the grandest wedding imaginable."