Wendel had snuck away in the dead of night, leaving behind only a letter full of lies—tricking Iris into believing he was being sent to Nashville for work.
At that time, she had already been pregnant. Yet he never even returned for the birth of their child.
She had naively believed he only went to Nashville for work, clinging to that illusion to comfort herself. But that fragile belief shattered the moment he returned—he took their two-year-old child away!
Iris sobbed, her heart breaking into pieces. "Your son was born, and you never even looked at him once—now you just want to take him away from me?"
Hearing the accusation in her tone, Wendel ran his finger through his hair, letting out a weary sigh before finally admitting the truth.
"I've always loved Esther," he confessed. "She's fragile and can't have children. So I thought—" He hesitated, then met her gaze. "I thought I could take your child instead."
Iris refused with everything she had, but Stella locked her up in the house. She could only watch helplessly as her own flesh and blood was taken away.
The mere thought of losing her child filled her with a burning hatred. She wanted nothing more than to rip Esther’s face apart.
Seeing the look on Iris’ face, Esther trembled all over.
"Brother, Iris's expression is so scary. Did I do something wrong? I'll apologize, okay? I’ll apologize!"
With that, she raised her hand and slapped herself repeatedly, crying out, "It’s all my fault! I’m the one to blame! I should just die! If I die, everyone will be happy!"
Wendel panicked. He rushed over to stop her. "Esther, what are you doing? Who told you to die? Who can’t accept you?"
Esther said nothing. She just kept crying.
Before Iris could even defend herself, Wendel suddenly shoved her hard.
"What the hell is wrong with you? If you're angry, then just be angry! What’s the point of being passive-aggressive? Haven't you bullied Esther enough over the years?"
His harsh accusations rang in her ears.
Supporting her sore shoulder where he had shoved her, Iris clenched her teeth. "I have never bullied her. You're the one who's always had a bias against me!"
But Wendel wasn’t listening. His mind was entirely occupied by the sight of Esther, crying like a delicate, tragic heroine.
Glaring at Iris, he snapped, "Apologize to Esther right now!"