Chapter 4

Nancy sat on the couch like she owned the place, while Cody addressed her affectionately as "Aunt Nancy" repeatedly. Upon seeing Holly's return, Nancy immediately stood up and smiled brightly. "You're back, Ms. Steward. Cody was discharged today, so Mr. Greyson asked me to join him in sending Cody back." Holly clenched her fists as rage surged through her. She couldn't believe just how bold Tyler was now. Not only did he cheat, he was even bringing the other woman back home now. Upon seeing Holly's darkening expression, Tyler quickly explained, "Cody was the one who couldn't stop clinging onto Nancy, so I just let him. After all, he had just recovered." Her eyes were wide as she glared at Tyler, feeling the rage boiling within her. They were truly going overboard now. "Does Cody not have a mother, Tyler? Why must you get another woman to keep him company?" Holly's body trembled uncontrollably, her eyes red from anger. Tyler chuckled diffidently at her words. He quickly walked over to explain, "Don't be upset, Hols. I just thought you've been working hard taking care of Cody lately, so I got Nancy to come and help out. This is so you could get some rest too. But if you're not happy about it, I'll get her to leave now, okay?" The corners of Holly's lips curled up slightly as she stared at him. Tyler was such a good actor that everyone would've believed she was the one he cared the most, that her mood was his top priority. Just like now. As soon as Holly was unhappy, he'd immediately get Nancy to leave. But no matter how good an act was, it couldn't fool someone who had already learned the truth. Holly was tired. She no longer wanted to play along with him. She parted her lips to reveal the truth. Suddenly, Cody rushed over and grabbed the hem of her dress. "Mommy, let Aunt Nancy stay. I like Aunt Nancy, and I like playing with her!" His crying and screaming hurt Holly's head. She looked at the boy who she had raised for four years, and felt a pang in her heart. "Do you really like Aunt Nancy, Cody? But I don't like her, so what would you do?" Cody replied, "Mommy can leave then. I want Aunt Nancy to stay and play with me!" Holly's eyes widened. A lump of bitterness filled her throat, and suddenly breathing became hard. She pulled away from Tyler's grip and bolted upstairs, locking herself in the bedroom. Tyler grew anxious and continued to pound on the door. "Please don't be mad, Hols. I'll get Nancy to leave now, okay? Since you refused to talk to me now, you should get some rest, okay? We'll talk once you calm down." Holly said nothing as she sat slumped behind the door. Her heart felt as if it was bleeding when she heard Cody's laughter coming from downstairs. She was the one who should've left, not Nancy. After all, they were the real family of three. She was not a part of the picture. … Holly woke up after some time. She realized she'd fallen asleep on the floor, with Nancy sitting opposite her. "What are you doing here?" Holly supported herself up from the floor, glaring angrily at Nancy. "Get out of my room now!" Nancy smirked before slowly walking over. "Why are you so mad, Ms. Steward? I'm just here to tell you about your child's whereabouts." Holly scoffed. She knew Nancy was nowhere near as kind-hearted as she portrayed herself to be. "I'll find my child myself! Now, leave!" "Oh? Don't you want to know if your child is a boy or a girl, and what they look like now?" Nancy then opened a video and played it for her. There was a boy about four or five years old in the video. He was covered in bruises and his cheeks were swollen. Someone was yanking his hair back and forcing something into his mouth. Holly froze as a sharp pain seized her chest. Even though she had never seen her child, it only took one look to know that that was her son. "Why is he so badly hurt? What are you forcing down his throat?" she asked furiously, veins popping and her knuckles going white. "Oh, you know, an orphaned child is just asking to be bullied. Who knows what's being forced into his mouth—animal or human feces, maybe? All I know is that they're feces, and he's being force-fed several times a day!" Nancy's laughter was smug and wild, her gaze brimming with malice. Holly couldn't take it anymore. She rushed forward and slapped Nancy hard. Tyler barged in the next moment. At that, Nancy immediately hid behind him and started sobbing. "I just came to apologize to Ms. Steward, Mr. Greyson. I wasn't expecting her to hit me." Seeing how Holly was still furious, Tyler's gaze darted between the two women. He then harshly yanked Nancy out from behind him. "Apologize to Hols now! You deserved to be hit when you're the one making her angry!" Stunned, Nancy cupped her face and stared at him in disbelief. Tyler yelled, "Didn't you hear me?" Holly laughed bitterly and shook her head. She refused to watch them put on an act anymore and kicked both of them out of her room.