Chapter 3
I gritted my teeth. “So, you mean to say that you expected me to remain loyal to you like a widow while you were gone for three years without any contact?
“Until you get rich, should I remain single forever? How absurd!”
The crowd stopped cursing at me, but no one dared to step forward to stop him. A few murmurs spread through the crowd.
“This guy’s family is terrible too.”
Nathan slapped me across the face. My already swollen face throbbed with pain. My belly felt worse, and I could not shake the feeling that my water was about to break.
“Harriet, you look down on me!
“It’s true that my pay for the confidential mission at Westbrook doesn’t earn as much as what you make with your company. But what I do is for the country!”
“So, her partner is a government researcher at Westbrook!”
“Oh, my goodness! How could she treat someone in government research like that? They contribute a lot to the country!”
“If you ask me, she probably betrayed the family in more ways than just having an affair. She should be locked up and should spend her life in prison!”
I sneered and turned to Nathan. “What kind of contribution can an idiot like you make to the country?!”
Before Nathan could respond, the bystanders began voicing their outrage.
“I can’t stand this anymore! This woman has no sense of decency. Can someone just beat her to death already?”
“Unbelievable! She’s slandering a government researcher. She should take a look at herself in the mirror.”
“She’s clearly had it too easy in life!”
Beatrice, who had been silent, wiped her tears. “Harriet, I know you’ve always looked down on Nathan’s job because you earn more money than he does.
“But what more do you want? What will it take for you to live a good life with Nathan? He has always accommodated your needs. Just this once, he chose to serve the country. Do you really have to push him this far?”
The crowd grew angrier. Some people even shoved me.
“This woman is a total disgrace!”
“When he becomes an academician, you won’t even be worthy of standing next to him!”
“If you ask me, he should just dump her. Even being near her feels like bad luck!”
By then, Nathan had calmed down. “Harriet, it’s over between us.”
Cheers erupted around us. Some people even clapped for what they saw as Nathan’s wise decision.
Encouraged by their support, Nathan shouted angrily, “My mom took care of you throughout your pregnancy. Not only did you cheat, but you also destroyed our relationship!
“My mom deserves better. You’ve caused me immense pain. I’m not letting this slide.
“Compensate with 2 million dollars, and we’ll have nothing to do with each other.”
I laughed in exasperation. In the end, all he wanted was my money.
“You own a company. 2 million dollars isn’t much for you. Let’s part ways peacefully.”
“You’re still trying to extort money from me? Nathan, I’d rather give that money to a beggar than to you!”
Beatrice got mad. She charged at me and slammed her head into my belly. I was thrown to the ground. My belly spasmed in pain, and blood flowed from between my legs.
I bit down on my lip and trembled all over. In my weak state, I tried to grab someone nearby and hoped they would help me call a doctor.
Instead, the crowd shamed me even more.
“This shameless woman only cares about money. How dare she insult someone in government research? She deserves to die!”
“Exactly! All he asked for was 2 million dollars. It’s not like he was asking for her life.”
“Even if she dies from this, it’s her own fault.”
Nathan crouched down and looked at me with a smile. Then, he kicked me hard.
Pain shot through my body and left me trembling. My face turned pale as I bit down on my lip even harder.
“Harriet, if you dare say another word, I’ll kick you right in your belly! I’m serving my country. How dare you insult me?”
I scoffed. “What exactly have you been doing? Other people might not know, but why are you lying to yourself?”
Nathan’s face darkened instantly. “What are you talking about?”
“Nathan, do you really think I don’t know what you’ve been up to?”
The noisy crowd around us gradually calmed down. I burst out laughing. “You never went to Westbrook! Your mistress got pregnant, and you were taking care of her!”
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