My Husband's Affair With My Sister

Chapter 7 The Signing Ceremony

At home, Adeline grew quieter and quieter. Jessica, on the other hand, got more unhinged by the day.

Whenever Casper was out, she came up with new ways to torture her.

She had people wash Adeline's wounds with chili water, beat Iris right in front of her, and then forced Adeline to beg while the baby screamed her little heart out.

Only when Adeline finally passed out from the pain did Jessica feel satisfied.

That day, Casper showed up. He yanked her out of bed.

"Get downstairs. We're eating together. How long are you gonna keep throwing this tantrum? I already told you—you're the one I love. Jessica was just a one-time slip. You're still my wife. The baby's already born. Are you seriously still holding a grudge over something so small?"

'Holding a grudge?' Adeline gave a bitter little smile and slowly pulled her hand free.

"Fine. I'll go."

At the dinner table, Casper frowned at the bruises on her forehead. "What happened to you?"

He reached out to check, but she turned away coldly.

"Nothing. I bumped into the bathroom door by accident."

Casper didn't push it.

"Have Jessica help you fix it up later. Tomorrow's the signing with VoltCore Energy Group. You have to be there. If you show up looking beat up, people will think I've been abusing you."

The corner of Adeline's mouth curled into an icy smile. She lowered her head and sipped her soup. "Got it."

Her calm unsettled Casper. His tone finally softened a notch.

"Adeline, the company's been crazy busy lately, so I might not have as much time to..."

Before he could finish, she stood up and said she was done eating. Casper's face darkened. Whatever tiny bit of guilt he had left vanished.

"Be on time tomorrow. Do your job as Mrs. Buckley. If the company hits trouble, Iris's future won't be easy either."

"Okay," Adeline answered with zero expression.

Right then, Jessica's sugary voice floated from behind her.

"Casper, try this one. I made it myself—took me over three hours. I even burned my hand."

"Let me see. Where does it hurt?"

Adeline didn't care anymore. She held Iris close.

"Iris, hang in there just a little longer. Mommy's taking you away tomorrow."

The baby seemed to understand. She let out a happy little giggle. In that moment, Adeline's heart melted completely.

The next day was the official signing ceremony for the joint venture between Buckley Group, Campbell Group, and VoltCore Energy Group. The huge event drew media from everywhere.

Moments later, Hank sent a message.

Hank: Ms. Campbell, everything's ready. The trust activates today. I've booked tickets for you and Iris. Tomorrow I'll send someone to pick you up.

Early the next morning, Casper called.

"Adeline, I'm waiting at the signing venue. Don't forget to bring Iris. We're a family—we should all be there together."

She answered in the softest, sweetest voice. "Okay."

Her sudden calm and gentleness caught Casper off guard. He wanted to say more, but she had already hung up.

As she was leaving, Jessica stood at the villa gate.

A strange little smile played on her lips, sending a chill down Adeline's spine.

"Adeline, safe travels."

On the way to the airport, Adeline felt a nagging unease. She told the driver to take a different route. Luckily, nothing happened, and she finally let out a breath of relief.

"Hank, I'm at the airport. I'll find you in a minute."

Before she could finish the sentence, a speeding sedan shot out of nowhere.

The massive impact hurled Adeline several feet through the air.

The world spun wildly. Through the dizziness, she watched Iris's tiny body fly ten feet into the sky. A heart-wrenching, desperate scream tore from her throat."No! Iris..."