Liam's strength was immense, almost crushing my bones. He forcibly pulled Leo and me into the adjacent lounge, his tone impatient and evasive: "Clara, haven't you caused enough trouble? So many important people have come today, all because of Liam's family. What if Leo goes berserk and scares people in his current state? You two rest here for now, I'll come find you after the banquet."
He deliberately lowered his voice, but the disdain surging in his eyes couldn't be hidden, piercing my heart like needles. I followed his gaze to the crack in the door of the lounge. The electronic screen in the lobby was playing a loop of photos of Liam, Vanessa, and Zeke, each one radiating "happiness and bliss." A mountain of gifts, exquisitely wrapped, was piled up in the center of the stage, all for Zeke. Even the giant cake, as tall as a person, prominently displayed "Happy Birthday Zeke," without a trace of Leo.
It turns out that this party, ostensibly to "belatedly celebrate Leo's birthday," was actually a setup for Zeke from the very beginning. My son was merely a tool he used to create a facade and curry favor with Vanessa.
Seeing my silence, Liam assumed I had agreed, so he quickly let go of my hand and softened his tone, but it was still perfunctory: "Clara, don't misunderstand. Vanessa is reluctant to part with Zeke. I did all this to reassure her that she can entrust the child to us, and also so that the family can be harmonious in the future."
I forced a smile, but my throat felt like it was stuffed with cotton; I couldn't manage a laugh. Harmony? The harmony I'd gained at the cost of my son's life—he doesn't even deserve to talk about it!
Before he could say anything more, the door to the lounge was suddenly pushed open, and Zeke toddled in with his short legs, grabbed Liam's leg, and said in a spoiled tone, "Daddy, didn't you say you were going to get me a limited edition Transformers? Take me to see it!"
Liam instantly dropped all pretense, his eyes filled with doting affection. He bent down and picked Zeke up, not even sparing a glance for me or Leo, and coaxed softly, "Okay, Daddy will take you to get it. Zeke can have anything he wants." With that, he turned and left with Zeke in his arms, the force of the door slamming shut so strong that the walls trembled slightly.