Heidi's nails dug deep into her palms.

Jason's words were like a blunt knife, sawing through her heart over and over. The images haunted her—his entangled silhouette with that woman.

She lowered her gaze to her flat stomach.

Why could others conceive so easily, while she remained barren? Had she committed some unforgivable sin in a past life?

Tears slid down her cheeks silently.

She wasn't weeping over her husband's betrayal. She was mourning her own inadequacy.

She understood the looks Fiona and Victor exchanged. If she failed to conceive soon, they'd force her to divorce Jason.

But she couldn't bear to let go.

Taking a shuddering breath, Heidi wiped her tears. "What will you tell your parents about the baby?"

Jason answered without hesitation. "We'll say you're pregnant, and I'm sending you to your parents' place for prenatal care. After the other woman delivers, we'll bring you back."

Her heart plummeted.

He'd already prepared the lie.

"Must you... sleep with her?"

"What choice do we have?"

She bit her lip. Apart from artificial insemination, there truly was no other way.

"Don't tell me about your... encounters." Her voice trembled. "I can't bear it."

Jason nodded.

......

Jenna hung up the phone and sped to Blue Bottle Coffee on her e-bike.

Sean was already waiting by the window.

"Big brother." She slid into the seat across from him. "Have you been waiting long?"

"Just got here."

After the server delivered their coffees, Sean cut to the chase. "What's this about?"

Jenna pulled the suicide note from her bag and pushed it toward him. "Is this your father's handwriting?"

Sean studied it carefully before shaking his head. "No."

His father had minimal education. Such elegant cursive was beyond him.

"Then who wrote it?" Jenna's gaze sharpened.

"No relative could write like this." Sean's eyes turned flinty. "An outsider must have penned it."

Jenna frowned. "Could your father have hired someone?"