"I will always hate her because she made my son disobey me for the first time," Juniper said, her voice sharp and full of venom. Her lips trembled with fury, and her eyes narrowed, burning with a hatred that had clearly been simmering for years. Her fists clenched by her sides as her chest rose and fell rapidly, betraying the storm raging inside her.
"Mom, Alder has never been one to listen like Brother Leif and me. You've always known that your hatred for Willow is baseless," Sage said, her tone gentle but firm, trying to calm the heat between them. She reached for her mother's arm but quickly pulled her hand back when Juniper's glare cut through her.
Juniper turned her face sharply toward her daughter, her brows furrowed in disdain. "Have you all forgotten how she took money over Alder?" she asked, her voice dripping with disappointment. The room fell into a tense silence, and Sage looked away, unable to respond.
"Do you want your brother to be with someone so money-centered like that?" Juniper continued, her voice rising. She paced the living room, hands flailing slightly as her frustration grew. Her eyes glistened—not from sadness, but from being consumed by her strong emotions.
"That Willow can never love anyone other than herself, and you know that," Juniper said again, her voice low but biting.
Sage sat quietly for a moment, biting her lower lip. Her fingers intertwined in her lap, fidgeting slightly. Her heart wanted to defend Willow, but even she knew there were things she couldn't justify.
"That's the way she was brought up," Sage finally said, her voice soft, almost hesitant. "She has no choice but to love herself first before anybody. But she truly loves Alder. It's just that… maybe she's in need of money."
Juniper scoffed, stepping closer to Sage. "Did you hear yourself? Are you even making sense? Do you really want your brother to end up with that lady?" she asked, shaking her head. Her tone was bitter, laced with disappointment, and her stare was sharp enough to pierce through Sage's heart.
Sage's lips parted slightly, as if to speak again, but no words came. She looked down, her eyes blinking rapidly as frustration built in her chest. She really wanted to defend her friend—but the words she needed just wouldn't come.
With a quiet sigh, she stood up, brushing her skirt down, and walked away without another word. Her footsteps were heavy with inner conflict as she climbed the stairs and disappeared into her room, leaving her mother still fuming in the silence of the living room.
Leif and Iris's Room
"What do you mean by divorce is an option, Leif? Are you planning to divorce me because of Willow?" Iris asked the moment she stepped in behind him, her voice shaking with a mixture of disbelief and pain.
Leif didn't respond. He walked further into the room in silence, his expression unreadable. He began unbuttoning his shirt with slow, mechanical movements, as if trying to distance himself from the conversation.
"Leif, I'm talking to you," Iris said, louder this time, her hands clenched tightly at her sides. But again, she was met with silence.
"Leif?" she called out again, her voice softer now—pleading.
"Iris," Leif finally replied, his tone clipped and tired.
Her eyes welled up. "Are you going to divorce me for Willow?"
Leif turned to face her then, frustration flickering in his eyes. "I don't know how many times I need to tell you I'm not interested in Willow. She's just like Sage to me." His voice grew louder, sharper. "How low did you think of me to think I'd fall for my brother's woman?" His final words were laced with hurt, as if her accusation wounded something deep within him.
Iris's lips trembled. "Then why did you leave me alone to go to her that day?" she whispered, voice cracking with emotion.
Leif closed his eyes slowly, like he was trying to block out everything for a moment, his chest rising as he took a long breath. "Because she had a miscarriage, Iris," he said quietly, the weight of the truth hanging heavily in the room.
---
Flashback
Leif and Iris had just gotten married a few months ago. Iris finally got what she always wanted—Leif. Her father made it happen, and now she wore the title of his wife with pride.
"I... I want to ask you something," Iris said nervously, standing by the door.
Leif gave her a dry smile, not looking up as he rummaged through the closet. Although he didn't love her, he had agreed to marry her, and he intended to make the marriage work in his own way.
"There's a school reunion I want to go to," Iris continued, fidgeting with her fingers. "Can you go with me?"
"When is it?" Leif asked, still searching.
"In two days," she replied.
"I have a business meeting tomorrow," Leif said, finally pausing to look at her. "I was going to tell you today."
"Oh..." Iris's face fell in disappointment.
"I'm sorry," Leif murmured, then turned back to his search.
"What are you looking for?" Iris asked after a moment.
"My tie."
"You have so many ties. Which one exactly?"
"A black one. It was a gift... from Willow," Leif replied casually, not thinking much of it.
Iris's heart skipped at the call of Willow's name. "That tie didn't look good, so I asked the maid to throw it out," she said.
Leif paused, blinking. "What? Why would you do that?"
"The tie was black. I don't like black," Iris added quickly.
"First it wasn't looking good, now you don't like the color? Does any of that make sense to you?" Leif turned to her with narrowed eyes.
"Do you like it that much?" Iris asked.
"It's a gift," Leif said, then added, "From Willow... and Sage."
"Really?" Iris asked, voice low and tight. Leif didn't answer. He just left the room.
---
Outside, Leif bumped into Alder, who was just returning.
"Alder," he called out.
"Yes, bro?" Alder replied, wearing a royal blue polo and jeans.
"Can you run an errand for me?" Leif asked.
"If it's out of the city, I won't be able to," Alder replied.
"You're going to Country Z," Leif said flatly.
"I'm not going. I can't go that far. My woman is pregnant—I can't leave her alone," Alder argued.
"I understand," Leif said sincerely. "But can you do this for me? I'll make sure Willow is fine."
"I haven't told Willow I'll be leaving..." Alder hesitated.
"I'm the married one, not you," Leif teased.
"I'll be married soon," Alder said proudly.
"Wait till then. But please, help my marriage first," Leif smiled.
"Okay. I'll tell Willow. If she lets me go," Alder replied with a sheepish grin.
"I can see Willow has the upper hand in this relationship," Leif laughed.
"Of course," Alder grinned back and went to his room.
---
Second day after Alder left – The Night of the School Reunion
Larkspur House
"So, Willow... you've been dating a rich man and didn't let us know for a whole year?" Maple asked with a smirk.
"That's a lie," Willow replied, her face blank.
"Really, Willow?" Rachael added.
"Are you saying your sister is lying?" Silas asked, eyes narrowing.
"Hasn't she always been a liar?" Willow said calmly, still emotionless.
"I'll ask again—is she lying?" Silas pressed.
"Yes, sh—"
Pah!
The slap came hard and fast. Willow didn't even flinch.
Silas took Maple's phone and showed her a photo of Alder and Willow together. "What do you say about this?" he asked coldly.
"That's my friend's brother," Willow replied.
"You won't tell the truth until you see your coffin," Maple sneered, grabbing the phone and swiping to another picture—this time of Alder kissing Willow.
Pah!
Another slap landed on Willow's cheek. Still, she didn't cry. She was used to it—used to the abuse.
"So you kissed your friend's brother?" Silas asked furiously. But then, his expression suddenly shifted. He sat on the couch with a sinister smile.
"Well... since you have a rich boyfriend—"
"Alder Smith, no less," Maple said like it was a prize.
"That's good," Silas smiled. "Now call your boyfriend. Ask him for money."
Willow gave a twisted smile. "Ask him for money?"
"Yes. You can't date a rich man and think you're the only one who should enjoy his wealth," Rachael chimed in.
"I can't ask him for money," Willow replied quietly.
"And why not?" Maple challenged. "If I were you, I'd help the family without hesitation."
"You're not that lucky," Willow retorted.
"Did you hear her, Dad?" Maple said, voice rising with anger.
Silas's smile disappeared. "If you can't ask him for money, then get Maple to be with him. I'm sure she'll take care of the family better than you."
Willow stared. "Is my boyfriend a toy to be handed around?"
"Will you ask him for money or not?" Silas asked again.
"No. I won't," she said, voice firm.
Silas stood, dark eyes gleaming. Thunder rumbled outside.
"Get out of my house," he said coldly.
Willow panicked. "It's late, Dad. It's already 10 p.m."
"More reason to leave," Rachael added.
"Please, Dad, it's about to rain—" Willow tried again.
"A good reason why you should leave," Maple cut her off.
"Dad, please." Willow's voice cracked. Her hands rubbed together in desperation.
She couldn't call Alder now—not for money. She was too ashamed. And he wasn't even in the country.
Silas grabbed her and dragged her out, ignoring her pleas. She stumbled, barefoot, to the gate.
"Dad, please!" she begged. "I have nowhere to go. The school is probably closed. I—"
"When you reflect and decide what to do, you'll be allowed back," Silas said, shutting the gate in her face.
Willow banged on it with all her strength, hoping he'd change his mind. But he was already back inside.
The heavens seemed to cry for her. Rain poured, and thunder cracked loudly above her head.
The streets weren't safe. Rape cases were common here. How much did her father hate her to lock her out like this?
She touched her stomach, panic rising. She couldn't lose this baby.
With trembling hands, she made a call.
"Sage... I need your help," she said.
"Are you okay?" Sage asked, concerned.
But before she could respond, she looked down and saw it—a bloodstain.
"Sage... I'm bleeding," she whispered, terrified.
"I'm on my way," Sage said immediately and hung up.
"Please," Willow whispered to no one in particular, "I can't lose this baby... this is my savior."
Tears poured down her face as she waited in the rain, clutching her stomach.
Sage arrived minutes later and rushed her to the hospital.
—
Smith Mansion
The Next Morning
Sunlight streamed gently through the tall windows of the Smith Mansion. Inside, Iris moved around their bedroom with a bright smile, carefully picking out an outfit for Leif to wear to her school reunion.
"This will look perfect on him," she said to herself, holding a navy suit against the light.
Just then, Leif's phone buzzed on the nightstand.
She glanced at the screen.
Caller: Willow
Her fingers clenched around the fabric. Why is Willow calling? Iris narrowed her eyes and, without thinking, ended the call.
A second later, the phone rang again.
Before she could react, Leif stepped out of the bathroom, wearing a casual outfit . He saw the caller ID and picked up the phone with a smile.
"Will, how are you doing?" he said softly.
Will? Iris's heart skipped. Why is he calling her that… so intimately?
"What? I'm on my way," Leif said suddenly, grabbing his car keys from the dresser.
He headed for the door without another word.
"Leif!" Iris called after him.
But he didn't stop. He didn't even turn around.
She stood there frozen, the suit still clutched in her hands.
Her lips moved before she realized it.
"…Willow."
Flashback End
—
"I need to go to her because she's had a miscarriage," Leif explained, his voice low but firm.
Iris stepped closer, her eyes wide with disbelief. "She's Alder's woman, Leif. Her miscarriage should have nothing to do with you."
"I don't know how many times I need to explain this to you!" Leif snapped, his patience running thin. "Do you even remember that Alder wasn't around then? Sage called me. She was panicking. Someone had to be there for Willow."
"But I needed you then too!" Iris shot back, her voice breaking.
Leif turned to her, fury simmering beneath the surface. "For what, Iris?" he asked, his voice sharp now. "For a school reunion?"
She flinched.
"You needed me for a party. And why wasn't Alder around, huh? Isn't it because of me? I had a meeting, but he went in my place—so I could go with you. If he had been here, maybe... just maybe they wouldn't have lost the baby."
Leif took a shaky breath, the guilt surfacing in his eyes.
"And for seven years, you've been angry at Willow for what? For a tragedy that wasn't her fault? You're so focused on hating her, you're not even thinking straight."
Iris's hands trembled at her sides. "Then tell me, Leif—what am I supposed to think about?" Her voice cracked. "Are you calling me barren?"
Leif stared at her, shocked. "Did I?" he asked softly.
"Then what do you mean?!" she shouted, tears falling freely now.
Silence fell between them, thick and bitter.
Leif sighed and turned away. "Iris… please let me be. Thank you," he said quietly and walked into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him.
Alone in the room, Iris sank slowly onto the edge of the bed. Her sobs echoed in the quiet space.
Leif leaned on the sink in the bathroom, staring into the mirror. His heart was heavy.
He hadn't married her for love, but over the years, he had tried—tried to care, tried to build something real.
They'd been married for seven years, childless. Yet never once had he blamed her.
But now, he'd said something cruel… something he couldn't take back.
And for the first time in a long time, Leif regretted opening his mouth.