Chapter 6

The memorial ceremony went smoothly and solemnly. Paul and Barbara were the first to retire, their old age getting the better of them. Soon after, Isla claimed she wasn't feeling well and took Adam back to the car. Arthur, too, had no desire to linger at the grave of the brother-in-law who had deceived him. In the end, only Maya stayed behind to clean things up. She bent down slightly, gently leaning against George's tombstone. George's warm smile seemed to be directed at her. It was as if he were still alive, not forever in the prime of his life. Her vision blurred as she stared at the picture. When she was five, she had been just another child in the orphanage. She wasn't anyone special and had to fight for scraps just to fill her belly. However, that life ended when George walked over and took her hand. His warm smile was like a ray of hope, brightening her world from that day on. George and the Selwyns gave her a home. They had given someone like her, who had nothing, a family. So, even though the Selwyns had never truly treated her like one of their own, and their affections weren't unconditional, she had always been grateful toward them. That was why Maya had agreed to George's pleas before he died. She had agreed to look after his wife, protect the Selwyns, and cherish Adam. How could he not when he had held onto her so strongly despite his life slipping away? Back then, she hadn't understood why George's last whispered words to her had been, "I'm sorry." But now… Now, the reality behind those words weighed upon her heart as she finally turned to leave. Just as she reached the cemetery gates, her eyes suddenly sharpened. Isla had brought Adam to the Hollands' graves. Adam was kneeling right before Arthur's parents' gravestones, calling them "Grandpa" and "Grandma". He was acting like a dutiful grandson. Isla was also standing at his side, waiting until Adam was done before shyly laying her bouquet of flowers before the graves. Then, she declared respectfully, "Mr. Patrick and Madam Smith, don't worry. Adam is a Holland. One day, I'll make sure he returns to his rightful family." Maya's blood immediately turned to ice. The gentle image Isla had used when she once promised to protect the Selwyns for George's sake swiftly crumbled right before her eyes, revealing a monster beneath. She stomped forward, hissing through clenched teeth, "What are you talking about? Adam is a Selwyn!" Adam's lips trembled in fright at her tone, and he buried his face against Isla's chest. However, Isla was utterly unfazed at Maya's outburst as she curled her lips into a vicious smile. "Maya, I'm not making anything up. Blood never lies." Maya shook her head in disbelief. "Isla, George was ready to divorce you and set you free when he found out he couldn't have children. You were the one who suggested stealing Arthur's sperm. What's more, the Selwyns never treated your family poorly even after Adam was born." Isla rubbed soothing circles against Adam's back before letting out a bark of laughter. "Maya, times have changed. Your brother is dead. It's only natural for me to seek another man for shelter. "Not only is Arthur a capable man, but I'm also carrying his child. Why shouldn't I fight for a better future? Also, why are you so upset? Weren't you the one who willingly offered your husband up to me? Were you not the one who gave us a chance to improve our relationship?" she drawled. Maya froze, her eyes widening in shock. "You lied about not being able to do IVF?" Isla's lips curled into a breathtakingly cruel smile. "Maya, your husband is mine now. You're more than welcome to tattle. However… whether or not he'll believe you is another matter entirely, don't you think?" Those words had barely left her lips when she suddenly did a complete 180. She held Adam in what could only be construed as a protective stance as she staggered away from Maya, blubbering, "Maya, Adam only came here to show his respects. He's not denouncing George!" Adam instantly burst into loud, pitiful sobs, crying as if he'd suffered the greatest injustice in the world. "Maya, what are you doing?!" The sharp bark behind her made her jolt. Arthur came running like the wind, scooping Adam into his arms. When he saw Adam's pale, tear-streaked face, his eyes turned to ice. "You're mistreating him just because he isn't George's biological son?" Maya shook her head in panic. "No, I didn't. It was—" Alas, Adam's wails drowned out her explanation while Isla wiped away her crocodile tears. Then, she murmured piteously, "Adam's in the wrong. He's been clinging to you too much these days. It's only natural for Maya to be upset. He's only doing this because he misses his father." Arthur's gaze turned icy. A crisp sound rang out across the graveyard, forcing Maya's head to the side. Fire seemed to lick across her cheek. The force behind it was so strong that her ears buzzed until she could hear nothing at all. She opened her mouth to speak, but the tears came first. They came hard and fast, absolutely slaking her face with salt. The trust she had once treasured most in their marriage was fully shattered in that instant. Even Arthur himself seemed stunned that he had actually struck her. Regret flickered briefly in his eyes. Isla pinched Adam's palm. He immediately let out a dramatic howl, wriggling out of Arthur's arms. His body shook like he was seizing. "Aunt Maya, don't be mad. I won't cling to Uncle Arthur anymore. I'll listen to you. George is my father. I'm a Selwyn, okay?" All emotion drained from Arthur's eyes. He pulled Adam back into his arms, took Isla's hand, and together they stood solemnly before his parents' grave. "Mom, Dad, I've brought your grandson to see you. And this is the boy's mother. The child in her belly is yours as well." Isla curled her lips into a demure smile. "Mr. Patrick and Madam Smith, don't worry. I'll take good care of this baby." Maya stood frozen, staring uncomprehendingly at the sight before her. Then, she started laughing. She kept laughing until tears threatened to drown her. She was howling at her own stupidity for daring to believe that Arthur's heart would still belong to her after all this. She was cackling at her own foolishness for thinking their years of intimacy and shared struggle could ever outweigh biological ties.