He Ditched Me At Engagement, I Married A Tycoon

Chapter 3

Liora walked slowly over and stood right in front of me.

I had no desire to speak to her and was just about to turn and leave, when a sharp, heavy slap landed hard across my cheek.

"How could I ever have such a shameless daughter? Reducing yourself to becoming a home‑wrecker!" My mother stared at me, her face twisted with nothing but utter disgust and loathing.

Suddenly, vivid memories flooded back. The time I was betrayed so cruelly by both Callum and Liora. Back then, I was the one left broken and wounded, yet my own mother had only blamed me, calling me weak and useless for failing to keep a man's heart. She had said I brought shame upon the whole family and told me I ought to simply step aside and let them have their way.

I said nothing and just calmly raised my phone, my expression completely blank and unwavering.

"I have recorded every single word spoken just now. If you fail to produce real evidence to back up your claims today, we will settle this matter in court."

The woman, who had been shouting and screaming only moments ago, instantly froze. Her face twisted into a look of panic and unease.

"I… I must have mistaken you for someone else!" She spat out those few words, then quickly ducked her head and slipped away, vanishing into the crowd as fast as she could.

I was just about to chase after her and stop her, when someone seized my arm in a tight grip. It was Callum, frowning deeply as he looked me over.

"What on earth just happened here?"

"Callum…" Liora stepped forward, her voice soft and tender as ever. "A little while ago, a woman came rushing over, shouting that my sister is a home‑wrecker, that she seduced another woman's husband…"

"That can't possibly be true…" Callum denied it instinctively.

A flicker of bitter jealousy flashed across Liora's face, so fast it was almost impossible to catch, yet she barely managed to mask it in time.

"But mom heard it too…"

My mother nodded vigorously right beside her, agreeing whole‑heartedly. "It is true! She has brought nothing but disgrace to our family! This is not Liora's fault at all!"

I met Liora's gaze, and there it was, the unmistakable glint of triumph dancing in her eyes.

My blood boiled instantly, rage surging up so fiercely I could barely contain it any longer. I lunged forward and slapped her hard across the face with all my strength.

Before I could draw back my hand, Callum grabbed me roughly and shoved me backward so hard I nearly lost my balance.

"Cerys! Have you completely lost your mind?!"

"I… I am so sorry… I must have said something wrong…" Tears welled up instantly in Liora's eyes, spilling down her cheeks as easily as turning on a tap. She looked so fragile and heart‑broken, exactly like a wounded little bird.

All traces of doubt vanished from Callum's mind in an instant. He turned to face me, his face darkening with anger. "She has only barely regained her health. Are you determined to drive her into another breakdown?!"

I let out a sharp, mocking laugh. "She has never suffered from any such thing."

Callum raised a hand and rubbed his temples, looking utterly weary and drained. "Enough. Apologize to her right now, and we can let this whole matter rest."

There it was again. The exact same pattern was repeated over and over. No matter that I had done absolutely nothing wrong, the moment Liora lowered her head and put on that pitiful act, I instantly became the villain who bullied and tormented her.

My strength seemed to drain right out of me all at once, and I lost all will to argue or struggle any further.

"I will never apologize. And I am certainly no home‑wrecker. I am already married."

But Callum refused to believe me. He tightened his grip on my arm, refusing to let go. "Stop being so stubborn and making up excuses!"

As we tugged back and forth, a small figure suddenly darted forward like a tiny cannonball and rammed straight into Callum's leg.

"Don't you dare hurt my mommy!"

Callum froze instantly, his eyes widening as he looked down at Jesse. A complex mix of emotions swept swiftly across his face.

Seeing that strange, intense look in his eyes, I immediately pulled Jesse tightly against my chest, shielding him securely. I had no desire whatsoever to drag my innocent child into all these painful events from the past.

I turned to leave, but before I could take even one step, Callum suddenly reached out, snatched Jesse right out of my arms, and held him firmly away from me.

"He is my son… isn't he?" He stared fixedly at me, his gaze turning cold and sharp, completely ignoring how Jesse kicked and struggled frantically in his grasp.

"Callum! Let him go this instant!" I was too shocked to react fast enough, and before I could rush forward to snatch him back, Liora suddenly stepped right in front of me, blocking my way completely.

"Back then I only asked you to look after my baby temporarily. How could you actually take him as if he truly belonged to you?!"

She dropped to her knees right there in full view of everyone, sobbing so hard her shoulders shook, looking utterly heart‑broken and wronged. Her long, sharp fingernails dug painfully into my skin as she grabbed at me.

I gritted my teeth and forcefully shook her off. "Jesse is not your son!"

But Liora only twisted things further, leaning forward with tears streaming down her face.

"You know you have never been well enough to bear children… if he is not mine, whose child could he possibly be?! Please give my baby back to me!"

I trembled uncontrollably from head to toe, burning with such rage I thought I might explode.

I drew back my fist, ready to strike and tear her away, when suddenly someone delivered a brutal kick straight to my ribs. I was sent flying backward and crashed hard onto the floor.

A searing, agonizing pain shot up through my lower back, spreading instantly through my whole body, and my face turned deathly pale in a heartbeat.