He killed our son for the affair that I never had novel

11 The cold metal of the microphone bit into my palm , sending a faint sting through my hand . " But in the end , I gripped it tighter and spoke with firm resolve . " Freya and I divorced a year ago . Therefore , all the rumors circulating online about Harper are false . " " I paused , about to continue , but in that instant , a vision flickered in my mind - the wedding . To be specific , it was the moment I'd stood before Freya , looking into her eyes .

I had promised to protect her for a lifetime- never to betray her . " Every word I had spoken back then now pierced into my chest like a volley of fine arrows . " " Rodney ? Rodney ? What are you doing ? " " Yes … what was I doing ?! Lifting my gaze , I met Harper's eyes - bright , expectant , fixed on me . " She had dressed with meticulous care for this day . " Her beauty was undeniable , alluring in a way that drew attention . " And yet , to me , it felt a touch excessive .

Without meaning to , another face surfaced in my mind - lightly powdered , understated … yet unforgettable . Still lost in the haze of memory , I didn't notice how long I'd stayed silent until Harper's anxiety began to show . She called my name again , this time louder . [ Heads turned . Cameras tilted toward me . \ ' A wave of attention crashed down from all sides , the scrutiny making my skin prickle . But there was no retreat now .

Forcing myself to lift the microphone again , I curved my lips into a smile . " Harper is my wife . I divorced Freya a year ago . Harper and I have a very good relationship . Those so - called photographs that were taken earlier are nothing more than fabricated rumors , " I said in one breath . Scanning the cameras with my eyes , I added , " Please , everyone , direct your attention toward the company's current projects . That will be all from me today . " [ With that , I took Harper's hand .

[ Her lips curled into a perfectly timed blush of shyness . Under countless watchful eyes , I leaned stiffly toward her and pressed a kiss to her cheek . For a fleeting moment , I felt something vanish . " And then , unbidden , another memory surged forward - my first intimate time with Freya . " It had been in the third month of our marriage . " That night , she had taken the initiative , leaning toward me and brushing a kiss against my lips .

\ In that heartbeat , my pulse had lost its rhythm . Yet I had refused to believe it - refused to believe I could fall for someone so quickly . It wasn't until three years later that we had truly opened our hearts to one another . " The recollection constricted my chest . Around us , the press captured every word , every frame , their shutters clicking in rapid bursts .

" By the end of today's press conference , Harper and I's so - called " fairy - tale romance " would be splashed across the entire States . " Such is the power of a man's first love . Freya once saved L. Corp. in its time of crisis . But she was still cast aside in the end . Poor Freya . " [ Amid the tide of congratulatory voices , my ears locked onto that single remark.N My body went rigid . " Without a word , I tightened my grip on Harper's hand and began steering her toward the exit .

Just then , the LED screen behind us suddenly came alive . And the sound of ragged breathing echoed through the speakers.N