Chapter 1

"Ah! You little mute! How dare you bite me?"

When Layla Jenkins stepped out of her office, she was greeted by the sight of her daughter sinking her teeth into a little boy's arm and refusing to let go.

Startled, she hurried over and said, "Daisy, you can't bite people."

Daisy finally released her grip, her big eyes welling up with tears as she looked at Layla. Then, she pointed to her own mouth while shaking her head desperately, seeming to be saying, "I'm not mute."

Layla's heart ached as she gently patted her daughter's head. "Mommy knows you've been wronged, but you can't bite people. Let's go check on the little boy's arm together, okay?"

Although she was still feeling aggrieved, Daisy nodded obediently.

After comforting her daughter, Layla turned her attention to the little boy. Just as she was about to offer him some words of consolation, she froze.

The face of the person before her was one that she had yearned for day and night.

The boy standing in front of her was none other than her son, Benjamin Parker.

Layla became stiff, and her words caught in her throat as memories of the past came rushing back.

Back then, her son had glared at her with utter disdain and shouted, "You're a bad woman! Get out of here and never come back! I'll never see you as my mother. I want Clarissa to be my mom!"

Those words from her son during the divorce were the final straw that had broken Layla.

It was already unbearable to be betrayed by the man that she loved deeply. But for her most cherished son to reject her too?

To this day, Layla couldn't recall how she had left the Parker family.

All she remembered was the numbing cold seeping through her heart that was more biting than the snow outside and the suffocating pain.

Now, after four long years, both mother and son were standing face to face once again.

She would be lying if she said she wasn't excited. Yet, there was no trace of longing on her son's face, only loathing. It was just like the day he had driven her away.

Layla suppressed her inner turmoil, and her tone was firm as she said, "I'm her mother. She shouldn't have bitten you, and I sincerely apologize on her behalf. But calling her a 'little mute' is deeply insulting. You owe her an apology too."

Benjamin's eyes flashed with even more anger as he glared at Layla. "But she is a little mute! Am I wrong? She's bad, just like you! I'll never apologize to her!"

Standing tall with his hands on his hips, he looked every bit like a defiant little tyrant.

At that moment, a cold and authoritative voice cut through the air. "Benjamin! Who taught you to speak like that?"

Benjamin froze immediately at those words. It took several seconds before he held out his bitten arm and complained, "Dad, it's all because of that bad woman's daughter! She nearly bit me to death. Look!"

"Benjamin, she's your mother. Is this how you speak to her? What have I taught you about respect?" Seth Parker's expression was cold, and so was his tone.

Unfazed, Benjamin defiantly raised his chin and said, "She's not my mom. She's a bad woman! She chose that little mute over me. I'll never call her Mom!"

"Benjamin, are you itching for punishment? You'd better apologize!"

The warning was enough to scare Benjamin into submission.

Seth walked toward Layla, and his scrutinizing gaze locked onto Daisy as he asked, "Is she your daughter?"

Layla had known that returning to this city would mean crossing paths with Seth sooner or later, but she hadn't expected it to happen like this.

Seeing Seth's face and hearing his voice took her back to the day she left the Parker family.

She had just returned from the hospital, eager to share the news of her pregnancy with him. But before she could speak, he had handed her the divorce papers. She had stared at him in disbelief, wondering if it was a joke.

However, his low, resolute voice had shattered her hopes as he said, "Layla, Clarissa saved my life back then. Her leg was injured so badly that she can never dance again. She's fallen into a deep depression since. If I don't marry her, she'll end her life. I have no choice but to divorce you."

In that moment, Layla's world had crumbled.

Seth felt like he owed his first love, so he wanted to divorce Layla. What he didn't know was that, for his sake, Layla could never realize her dreams ever again.

She had thought that Seth's choice was one that had been made out of necessity. It wasn't until she had overheard Clarissa's conversation with him that she realized the truth.

"Seth, you only kept Layla by your side to shield me from harm, didn't you? Now that your position is secure, there's no need for her anymore. You seem to be finding it difficult to chase her away. You haven't fallen for her, have you?" Clarissa had asked.

Layla's heart had clenched painfully. She had prayed for Seth to deny it, to say that he loved her, but his reply was cold and cutting as he said, "No."

That single word was like a dagger to Layla's chest. All this time, Seth's kindness toward her had been a lie. It was nothing more than a ruse to make the enemy believe that she was Seth's weakness, in order to protect Clarissa.

Layla had foolishly believed that they shared the same passionate love.

Remembering all this, Layla's heart still ached—not for Seth, but for the naive woman she once was.

Back to the present, Layla answered without hesitation, "Yes."

Seth's expression darkened, and he clenched his fists for some unknown reason.

"Layla, you know you can't have another pregnancy, considering your bad health. Carrying a child could have killed you. Just how special is this man for you to risk your life like that?"

Layla's lips curled up into a mocking smile.

Yes… How special was that man?

The fortune teller had said that Seth's life would be smooth sailing if he had a daughter.

So, Layla had gone to desperate lengths and drank bitter herbal remedies to ensure that she would have a daughter. Just for him, she had ignored the doctor's stern warnings about the dangers of another pregnancy.

And yet, the man that she had loved so deeply had discarded her without hesitation.

Layla felt her heart ache, but she replied calmly, "It's none of your business, is it?"

Seth's expression darkened. "I'm only looking out for you. You're Benjamin's biological mother, after all. I don't want you putting yourself in danger."

Layla chuckled. "I don't need your concern. I'm perfectly fine. If the boy needs medical attention, I'll take him to the school nurse. If not, I'll be on my way."

"Layla," he called out, his gaze fixed on her. She was still as beautiful as ever. "Don't forget. Benjamin is the son you gave everything for. How can you abandon him for your daughter? I never knew you were so heartless."

Layla turned to look at him, and her tone was calm and unwavering as she replied, "Why should I please someone who doesn't love me? I'm happy now, and that's enough."

Her voice softened as she bent down to lift Daisy into her arms. "Sweetheart, Daddy's here to pick us up. Let's go celebrate Mommy's new job with a big meal."

She walked toward the man who had been waiting patiently at the stairwell—Mark Kirkland.

Mark took Daisy from her arms and guided Layla away.

Seth's fists clenched tightly as he watched the happy family of three leave. A voice inside his head whispered relentlessly, "Layla had a child with another man."

Chapter 2

Seth stood in the hallway for a long time, watching until the figures of Layla and her family completely disappeared.

The principal happened to pass by just then, and he greeted Seth with a smile. "Mr. Parker, what brings you here? Did your son get into trouble again?"

Seth muttered, "Yeah." Then, he asked, "Why was Layla Jenkins here?"

The principal was surprised. "Do you know her? She's one of the new teachers we've hired. She's guided her students to win numerous International Mathematical Olympiad competitions in the past.

"She's highly skilled in teaching and management. I've assigned her to your son's class—maybe she can handle him."

Hearing this, Seth frowned deeply.

Layla, a design prodigy who had been admitted to art school through special talent recruitment, had now become an elementary school teacher?

At just 16, she had sold a wedding gown that she had designed for a high price. After graduation, she had given up her dream to repay his financial support and just worked as his secretary instead.

Becoming an internationally renowned wedding gown designer had always been her ambition. Why would she abandon her dream to work as an elementary school teacher?

The more Seth thought about it, the more something seemed amiss.

He immediately took out his phone and called his assistant. "Look into Layla for me," he said.

He couldn't believe that someone so passionate about her dreams would give them up so easily.

After hanging up, he exchanged a few more words with the principal before walking into the classroom.

Benjamin was slumped over his desk, still sulking.

Seth knocked on the desk. "How do you still have the nerve to be angry? How many times have you made me come in this week?"

Benjamin tilted his head up to look at him. "You're annoyed with me, right? You like that mute… that little girl more, don't you? You don't love me anymore!"

Seth ruffled his son's hair. "She's not my daughter. Why would I like her? But Layla is your mother. You shouldn't treat her that way."

"She's not! All these years, she has never come to see me. She only cares about her daughter. Why should I call her 'Mom?'"

Seth shot him a warning look. "Regardless, she's the one who gave birth to you. Don't be so rude. Do you understand?"

Benjamin pouted and nodded reluctantly.

"Let's go. I'll take you to get something to eat."

Benjamin took his bag and followed Seth with his head hanging low. His mind was still filled with images of Layla doting on that little girl.

As he walked, he muttered under his breath, "I don't want to share a mom with some mute girl. It's embarrassing just thinking about it."

…

Meanwhile, Layla got into the car with Mark. There was a cheerful smile still on her face.

Mark looked at her with concern. "Laylabug, if you don't want to smile, don't force yourself."

Layla's smile turned bitter. "I'm fine. I've already let go of everything I should have. Getting the job today is enough to make me happy."

Mark glanced in the rearview mirror. "If it weren't for your wrist injury, you would have already taken the design world by storm. You wouldn't have had to settle for being a schoolteacher."

The mention of her injury made her eyes dim, and her right hand trembled slightly.

She would never forget the pain of the knife plunging into her wrist, nor the man's cold interrogation. "Where is Seth's project proposal? If you don't tell me, I'll ruin your hand."

Despite the agony, Layla knew how important that project was to Seth. If it succeeded, he could establish himself in Kingsville and become the heir of the Parker family's legacy.

Yet, she also knew what it would cost her to stay silent. Even so, for Seth's sake, she was willing to risk her life to keep his secrets.

She had clenched her teeth and endured the searing pain as blood dripped onto the floor, refusing to utter a word.

Enraged, her assailant had stomped on her wound, sending waves of excruciating pain through her.

Luckily, someone had passed by then, and she was saved.

It wasn't until she was at the hospital that she learned that the injury had damaged her nervous system. From then on, she could no longer perform intricate movements, let alone draw.

Her dreams died that day.

By the time Seth returned from his business trip, her wound had mostly healed. Layla had brushed it off as a minor injury, saying that it was nothing serious. She had foolishly believed that he would care about her.

Not wanting to burden him with additional stress, she kept the truth to herself. Looking back now, she realized how naive she had been.

What she had thought was deep affection turned out to be her shielding Seth from harm while he remained indifferent. Seth had never truly loved her.

Recalling these memories, Layla let out a self-mocking laugh. No matter the pain or regret, the past was the past.

Now, her only focus was on the future and helping her daughter recover while watching her grow.

The three of them went to a Wistrian restaurant.

There, Daisy was full of curiosity, and she began running around the hall. Then, she accidentally bumped into Seth.

Daisy looked up at him with a wide grin. She dug into her pockets with her chubby hands and pulled out a lollipop. She handed it to him and then pointed at her round cheeks, signaling to him to eat it.

Before Seth could react, Benjamin snatched the lollipop away. "Don't think my dad will eat your stuff," he said disdainfully.

He was about to throw the candy into the trash, but Seth stopped him. "Benjamin, don't be rude."

Benjamin froze, then begrudgingly returned the lollipop. "Fine. If you're not afraid of being poisoned, then go ahead and eat it."

With that, he turned around and stormed back to the table.

Seth bent down to look at Daisy. His tone was uncharacteristically gentle as he asked, "How old are you?"

She looked like she was two years old, but Daisy held up three fingers.

Seth's chest tightened. He had divorced Layla four years ago. This girl was three. Could she be…

Just as he was about to ask more, Layla's voice came from behind him. "Daisy, come to Mommy. Don't run around."

Daisy waddled back into her mother's arms. She pointed at the lollipop in Seth's hand and patted her chest, as if to say, "I gave that to him."

Layla bent down to pick her up, and her voice was gentle as she asked, "Sweetheart, didn't Mommy tell you not to talk to strangers? They might take you away, and then Mommy won't be able to find you again."

Hearing this, Daisy clung tightly to her mother's neck and shook her head vigorously, as if promising that she would never do it again.

Layla kissed her forehead and smiled. "Good girl. Let's go eat."

Just as she turned to leave, Seth's voice rang out behind her. "Layla, is she my daughter?"

Chapter 3

Layla slowly turned around, her lips still curled in a faint smile. "If you doubt it, Mr. Parker, I can give you a strand of Daisy's hair. You can do a paternity test."

Her calm and composed demeanor left Seth with an inexplicable sense of disappointment and disbelief.

"We've been divorced for four years, and she's already three. How could you move on so quickly? This doesn't sound like the Layla I know."

In his mind, Layla had always loved fiercely. She had loved him so deeply back then. How could she have given another man a child so soon?

Faced with Seth's accusations, Layla sneered. "Not even a week after I left, you got engaged to Clarissa. Why couldn't I find someone else?

"Did you expect me to remain loyal to you forever? Seth, what makes you think I'd stoop so low?"

Seth frowned. "Are you trying to get back at me?"

Layla's voice was cold. "You're not worth it."

Those words left Seth with a bitter taste in his mouth.

His deep, dark eyes rippled with emotion as he replied, "If that man really loves you, why hasn't he married you even after having a child together? That's just irresponsible."

Layla countered, "Indeed, we were married when I was pregnant with your child, but didn't you also betray me in the end? What right do you have to question anyone else?"

With that, she returned to her seat with Daisy in her arms.

Seth's gaze lingered on the scene of Layla and her "family", who seemed happy together. His hands clenched into fists.

He couldn't deny it—Layla had changed. She no longer had any affection for him. All the tenderness she had once shown him was now given to the man in front of her.

The more he thought about it, the heavier the weight on his chest grew.

Mark handed Layla a glass of water when he saw her grim expression. In a low voice, he asked, "Do you want to go to another restaurant?"

"There's no need," Layla replied. "We're in the same city, so we're bound to cross paths. Sooner or later, I'll have to face him."

"But he's already suspicious of Daisy's lineage. If he digs deeper, I'm worried he might fight for custody. Have you forgotten how he took Benjamin from you back then?"

Layla's chest tightened.

Back then, she had a good relationship with Benjamin. He was well-behaved and obedient.

However, once he started kindergarten, her mother-in-law insisted on helping to take care of him, claiming that Layla was too exhausted from work.

At the time, Layla was busy with a major project that required her to travel for two months, so she had reluctantly agreed.

But when she returned, she discovered that her son was incredibly close to Clarissa and had grown distant from her. Only when Seth handed her the divorce papers did she realize what had happened.

The offer to "help her with childcare" had been a ruse. The real goal was to alienate her son from her.

To help Clarissa get married to Seth, they had all colluded to drive a wedge between her and Benjamin.

When they got divorced, Layla didn't even have the right to fight for custody because her son had chosen his father over her.

The pain from those memories still lingered. She thought time had healed those wounds, but when faced with the situation again, she realized that they were merely covered in a thick layer of dust. When the dust was blown away, she could feel the pain again.

Layla gently patted Daisy's head and said with certainty, "I acted so composed earlier. He won't investigate. The more you try to hide something, the more it draws attention."

Mark handed her some steak that he had cut into pieces. "I hope so. Once Daisy's illness is treated, we'll leave this place."

The three of them sitting together painted a picture of a harmonious family. Mark was always either serving Layla food or tending to Daisy. Even the air around them seemed to radiate happiness.

Seth found himself glancing over more often than he cared to admit, his hand gripping his utensils until his knuckles turned pale.

He had to admit that Layla had moved on. Not only that, but she seemed to have found happiness.

The more he dwelled on it, the heavier the weight on his chest grew. Just as he was about to step outside to smoke, he heard Clarissa's voice from behind.

"Seth," Clarissa called.

Seth turned around and was met with the sight of Clarissa smiling at him.

Before he could say anything, Benjamin darted into her arms and clung to her affectionately. "Mommy Clarissa, I've ordered your favorite meatballs!"

Clarissa kissed his cheek with a laugh. "What a thoughtful boy. How can I not love you? Look! I got you the latest toy. Do you like it?"

"Yes! Of course! I'll like anything you give me, Mommy Clarissa."

Benjamin glanced at Layla's table. He had spoken loudly on purpose to try to get her attention.

However, Layla didn't so much as look over. She stayed focused on tending to Daisy.

Benjamin grew frustrated and tugged on Clarissa's arm. "Mommy Clarissa, when you marry Dad, you'll be my favorite mom!"

Clarissa was visibly moved as she cupped Benjamin's face with a smile. "Then, I'll make sure to be the best mom in the world."

She walked over and sat beside Seth. She sensed the unusual tension in the air and asked with a smile, "Seth, what's wrong? Did Benjamin's teacher complain again? He's just a child. Don't mind him."

Seth shot her a cold glance. "Stop indulging him. Look at him now. He's causing trouble in class and fighting with his classmates. The teacher's called us three times this week."

Clarissa quickly soothed him, saying, "Alright. I'll keep a closer eye on him. Don't be upset. Let's just eat, okay?"

She tugged at Seth's arm, trying to hold his hand, but he casually avoided her touch.

The two tables weren't far apart, and Layla could hear their conversation clearly.

She knew that Clarissa was doing it on purpose—trying to flaunt how close she was to Benjamin and how she was now Seth's fiancée.

Years ago, this would have infuriated Layla. But now, she found Clarissa's tactics childish.

Just then, Daisy accidentally spilled her drink on Layla.

Layla regained her senses and stood up, intending to go to the restroom to clean herself up. As she turned to leave, she found Clarissa standing behind her, a smug smile plastered on her face.

"Ms. Jenkins, long time no see," Clarissa said.

Layla responded coolly, "Thanks to you, I'm doing just fine."

Clarissa smirked. "Layla, why are you pretending? Your ex-husband and son are mine now. Don't tell me you're not angry."

Layla tossed the paper towel into the trash, and her tone was calm as she replied, "Why would I be? You're doing me a favor by taking out the trash. I should be thanking you."

"Layla, once I marry Seth, your son will be calling me 'Mom.' Let's see if you can still be so smug then."

Layla scoffed. "Ms. Price, instead of wasting time trying to get a rise out of me, maybe you should focus on actually marrying Seth. It's been four years since I left, and he still hasn't made you his wife. It seems like you don't hold much appeal to him after all."

Clarissa was livid. "Do you really think you were ever appealing to him? Your child was just the result of some drunken mistake!"

Chapter 4

Hearing those words, Layla couldn't help but clench her fists slightly.

Benjamin was indeed conceived after a drunken encounter. At the time, she had intended to terminate the pregnancy because she didn't want others to say that she was using her child to climb the social ladder.

However, it was Seth who had convinced her to get off the operating table, assuring her in all seriousness that he would marry her and give both her and their child a home.

Seth had kept his word. After their marriage, he treated both her and Benjamin well, playing the role of a good husband and father.

Even after discovering that everything he had done was for Clarissa, Layla had never imagined that even her pregnancy was part of a larger scheme.

Layla tried her best to suppress the emotions surging in her heart and smirked. "Do you think I care? No matter the reason, I was with him before you. He's just second-hand goods now."

"Layla, I wonder if you can still smile after seeing this," Clarissa said, handing her a medical report.

Layla glanced at the document, and her gaze landed on the words at the top.

"Patient: Clarissa Price. Diagnosis: Severe uterine damage due to a car accident, resulting in infertility."

Reading those words, a chilling suspicion began to form in Layla's mind. Her chest tightened, as if an invisible hand were squeezing her heart, suffocating her.

Noticing her reaction, Clarissa raised her eyebrows and said, "After Seth found out I couldn't have children, he promised to give me a child who would call me 'Mom.' That's why he orchestrated the whole situation with you. Otherwise, how could a man as meticulous as him let some insignificant secretary get pregnant by accident?

"Layla, from the day you joined Parker Group, you were living for me—by shielding me and giving me a child. From the beginning, you were nothing but a tool to Seth. What makes you think you have the right to flaunt anything in front of me?"

Layla had once believed that being used as a shield by Seth was the worst thing he could do to her. Now, for a man who didn't love her, she realized that there were no limits to the extent he could go to hurt her.

He hadn't just used her to deflect problems; he had also treated her as a baby-making machine. How foolish she had been back then, thinking that he really loved her. It turned out to be all part of his carefully laid plans.

Layla's heart ached. It wasn't because Seth didn't love her, but because the four years she had spent with him had been nothing but a web of deceit.

Seth had played the role of a perfect husband, while she had unknowingly fallen deeper and deeper into his trap.

She had loved him so deeply, earnestly, and selflessly. She had even sacrificed her own dreams for the sake of his career and nearly lost her life trying to give him a daughter.

How blind and naive had she been not to notice that anything was wrong?

Layla let out a derisive laugh, not at Clarissa but at her own pitiful self from years ago.

Slowly lifting her gaze, she looked at Clarissa with cold eyes. "No matter how I ended up with Seth, I will always be his first woman, and Benjamin will always be my son. Those are facts you can't change."

Clarissa clenched her fists tightly, and her face contorted with rage. "So what? They belong to me now. You've been abandoned and will never win their love again. Layla, you were nothing but a tool to Seth. After being used, you were disposed of without hesitation."

Layla chuckled, a trace of disdain in her voice as she replied, "Do you think I've suffered from being manipulated by him? Have you ever considered that I might have enjoyed those years? After all, Seth is a man with looks and talent. Sleeping with such an outstanding man for free and giving birth to a child with excellent genes—didn't I come out on top?"

Clarissa's arrogance instantly evaporated.

Layla was right. Every woman in Kingsville could only dream of being with Seth, herself included. But after all these years, the only woman who had ever been with him was Layla.

Even though Clarissa had been engaged to Seth for four years, he had never once touched her—not even so much as a casual brush of contact. How could she not envy Layla?

Fury burned in Clarissa's eyes as she glared at Layla. "You shameless woman! If it weren't for your good genes, do you think you'd even be worthy of having Seth's child?"

Layla chuckled, and she said casually, "When it comes to shamelessness, I still have a long way to go to match up to you and him."

With that, she turned and walked away.

Clarissa had never suffered such humiliation before. She vowed through gritted teeth, "Layla, you will pay for this."

By the time she returned to her seat, Layla had already left the restaurant.

Recalling Layla's mocking words, Clarissa couldn't help but grab Seth's arm and ask, "Seth, can I go to Solivelle with you tonight?"

The implication was crystal clear, and Seth, of course, understood.

Without a hint of expression on his face, he stood up and picked up Benjamin's backpack. Then, he said to her, "I'll take you home."

"Seth, we've been engaged for four years now, and my leg has already healed. Why won't you let me into that house? Don't tell me you've fallen for Layla. Are you protecting the love nest that you'd shared with her?"

Seth was displeased. "Clarissa, my affairs are none of your concern."

His lack of denial only fueled Clarissa's anger. "Seth, do you know what Layla just said about you? She said she only sees you as a free gigolo. She even bragged about having a child with excellent genes and called herself the real winner in life.

"Right after she left you, she got together with another man. A woman as promiscuous as her doesn't deserve your love!"

Seth's expression grew even colder, and his eyes were shadowed with stormy emotions.

That damned woman. She actually saw him as a free gigolo!

The thought made the weight on his chest grow heavier. Even his breath was laced with a dull ache.

He had been the one to abandon Layla, so why did it feel as though she had left him?

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. Without another word, he left Clarissa behind and walked off with Benjamin.

…

At 8:00 am on Monday, Seth walked into the school building with Benjamin. He immediately spotted Layla greeting the students at the classroom door.

She was dressed in a lavender blouse paired with a long white skirt, looking both elegant and approachable. Her smile was as warm and soothing as ever. Her voice was just as he remembered—soft and melodic.

She hugged each child as they arrived. It was her way of welcoming them on their first day of school.

Watching her, Seth was reminded that she had called him a gigolo. He sneered as he strode forward with Benjamin.

When Layla bent down to give Benjamin a hug, he dodged her with disdain. His tone was nonchalant as he said, "You're only hugging everyone so that you can hug me. Don't think I don't know."

With that, he slung his backpack over his shoulder and walked into the classroom.

Layla furrowed her brows as she helplessly watched him go.

Before she could say anything, a cold voice came from behind her. "He's a child of a gigolo. What manners did you expect from him? Cheap things are rarely good, Ms. Jenkins, so don't take it to heart."

Chapter 5

Layla immediately knew that Clarissa had tattled on her.

She smiled politely and replied, "Not necessarily. Many things on low-budget shopping platforms these days are surprisingly useful. You just need to have a keen eye to spot the good ones.

"Take me, for instance. I'm a master at spotting red flags, and I never fall for tricks."

Her words hit Seth like a slap. She had just compared him to the cheap items on a low-budget shopping platform and proclaimed herself an expert in identifying scumbags. Wasn't she outright calling him one?

Seth clenched his teeth in frustration. "Ms. Jenkins, since you're so skilled, why don't you tell me what level of scumbag my ex-wife is? She left without a word for four years, abandoning our child entirely. What kind of person does that make her?"

Layla's expression remained composed. "Mr. Parker, would you mind telling me why she left? What did she experience before she made that decision? From what I understand, no mother would willingly leave her child unless she's been deeply betrayed by those closest to her."

Her response stirred memories of her anguish back when he had divorced her and she had to leave Benjamin.

Seth tightened his fists. "No matter how much she hated me, the child is innocent."

The smile faded from Layla's face. "Mr. Parker, before women are mothers, they are individuals. They should cherish and respect themselves.

"When faced with an unhealthy marriage, they have every right not to be shackled down by society's expectations. They have the right to make their own choices. Don't you agree?"

Her voice was calm and devoid of any emotional outburst, as though the subject at hand had nothing to do with her. This detached attitude was something Seth struggled to accept.

Layla had once been devoted to her marriage and her son. She had loved their home deeply. Even after four years, she shouldn't have grown so cold.

Seth's dark eyes burned with a fiery intensity. He searched Layla's face, hoping to find even a trace of resentment. He would be satisfied with just a flicker of emotion.

Yet, all he saw was a vibrant, beautiful woman. Her face was calm and adorned with a gentle smile.

The sight made his chest tighten, as though something sharp had pierced through him.

He said in a lowered voice, "Layla, what will it take for you to forgive Benjamin? He's been acting out more and more due to the lack of motherly love. If this continues, I'm afraid things might spiral out of control."

Layla lowered her gaze. "Isn't this the outcome you all wanted? You drove a wedge between me and Benjamin, divorced me, and cut all ties. I've fulfilled your wishes. Shouldn't you be satisfied?"

"Layla, must you be so petty? He's your son. Don't you want to stop him from becoming an entitled brat?" Seth asked.

"That's your problem, not mine. He stopped being my son the day I left the Parker family. Please come to terms with that reality, Mr. Parker." Layla's tone was gentle, but her words were merciless.

Seth struggled to accept them.

What was Layla's heart made of? Why had it become harder than stone?

He gritted his teeth. "Fine. He's your student now. I hope you won't single him out."

Layla nodded politely. "Rest assured, Mr. Parker. I treat all my students equally. If there's nothing else, I'll head to class now."

With that, she walked into the classroom and closed the door behind her.

Seth remained standing in the hallway, peering through the small window at Layla, who was now addressing her class from the podium.

She was still the confident and approachable woman he had known all those years ago. He had thought that she had grown colder and more detached, but now, he realized that she hadn't changed at all.

The only thing that had changed was her attitude toward him and Benjamin. To others, she was still the warm and caring person she had always been.

This realization hit Seth like a truck, and he felt his heart tremble, as though something was being torn away from him. That indescribable feeling left him dazed.

Inside the classroom, Layla began her first day of teaching by introducing herself to the students before taking their attendance.

When she called out Benjamin's name, no one responded.

Benjamin was leaning against his chair, acting like a prince. He sat with his legs crossed and arms folded while his eyes remained fixed on Layla.

His deskmate nudged him and whispered, "Benjamin, the teacher is calling you."

Benjamin glared at him. "I'm not deaf."

"Then, why didn't you answer?"

"I don't feel like it. What's it to you?"

Faced with the class' troublemaker, Benjamin's deskmate didn't dare to say anything more and backed down.

Layla didn't so much as glance in Benjamin's direction. Instead, she looked down at the name list.

"Is Benjamin not in this class? If he isn't, I'll cross his name off the list. He also won't be eligible for next month's International Mathematical Olympiad competition. I'll let someone else take his spot."

Her words made Benjamin sit up straight.

As mischievous as he was, he genuinely loved math competitions and was determined to win a prize at this Olympiad. He wanted to show off to Layla and make her regret abandoning him.

His tone was filled with defiance as he asked, "Can't you see that I'm here?"

Layla remained calm despite being challenged by him. "Are you Benjamin? If so, please respond with 'present.' Otherwise, I'll assume that you're absent."

Her voice was gentle, but it carried an unmistakable authority.

Benjamin found himself sitting up straighter, almost against his will. When his name was called again, he reluctantly muttered, "Present."

Layla glanced at him briefly, treating him no differently than any other student. She nodded once before marking his attendance.

Being ignored by his own mother filled Benjamin with frustration. He glared at Layla, simmering with anger that he had no outlet for.

Just then, a voice came from the doorway. "Sorry for being late, miss."

Layla turned to see a thin boy standing at the door. She walked over with a warm smile and said, "You must be William Ziegler."

"Yes, miss," the boy replied nervously.

"Don't be late next time. Go take your seat."

William bowed politely and said, "Thank you, miss. I won't."

As he limped toward his seat, Layla noticed that something was off.

"Wait," she called out. "What happened to your leg?"

The boy shook his head. "It's nothing, miss. I tripped while trying to catch the bus."

Layla had read up on her students' backgrounds.

William came from a struggling family. His father had passed away, and his mother was bedridden with illness. Despite being only eight years old, the boy had taken on the heavy burden of caring for his mother, all while commuting an hour to school every day.

Yet, his intellect had earned him a place in this elite class.

Having grown up in an orphanage herself, Layla felt a special tenderness toward children who had to fight against the odds.

She immediately grabbed a small first-aid kit and crouched beside him. "Here, I have some band-aids. Let me patch that up for you. Be careful not to get it wet."

She gently cleaned his wound and applied a cartoon band-aid.

William's eyes lit up with gratitude. "Thank you, miss."

"You're welcome. Now then, let's get started with class."

Their interaction didn't go unnoticed by Benjamin. He clenched his fists under the table as he muttered, "She doesn't care about her own son but fawns over someone else. What kind of mother is this?"

He glared at Layla, then at William, his envious gaze filled with simmering rage.

When classes were over, Layla told her students to line up and noticed that one was missing.

"Where's William?" she asked.

A student raised a hand and said, "Teacher, during gym class, William went to the equipment room with Benjamin to get a ball. He never came back."