Chapter 10

Catherine's expression instantly shifted. Her nails dug into her palms so hard they drew blood, but she still forced herself to wear a gentle smile. Elizabeth turned her head, eyes locking on William. Her gaze sharpened. What did he just say? That the baby's gone, so what? Her eyes welled up again, her chest tightening with pain. Her voice came out hoarse, "How could you say something like that? You killed your own child with your own hands!" "It was an accident!" William's anger flared again, crushing whatever softness he'd just shown. "If you hadn't pulled those stunts, none of this would've happened!" Elizabeth let out a bitter laugh, eyes shut, her whole face filled with grief. "It was you, William. You pushed that baby to death. And now you've got the nerve to blame her?!" A furious voice burst in from the doorway. Michael had just arrived but had been stopped outside by William's guards. Hearing that line set him off. "You again!" William growled through clenched teeth, shooting Elizabeth a cold look before turning and walking out. Catherine's face tensed, and she quickly followed after him. Outside the room, Michael's voice rang with fury. "William, what the hell's wrong with you? If you didn't love her, why couldn't you just leave her alone? Why did you have to push her over the edge?!" Shoving off the bodyguards, William glared back. "You think this would've happened if it weren't for you?" "That's bull!" Michael snapped, his voice shaking with rage. "There's never been anything shady between me and her. She loves you—only you! But all you've ever done is doubt her and hurt her. And even now, you're still trying to label her a liar! Are you even human?" Watching Michael, red-faced from fury, and thinking back to every firm denial Elizabeth had made, William's heart wavered for just a second. Could it be... they really are innocent? Did he get it all wrong? Catherine caught that flicker in his eyes and instantly stepped forward, a trace of panic in her heart. "You guys, calm down, okay? She needs peace to recover." She looked at Michael seriously. "Michael, she's my sister. You think I'm not heartbroken watching her like this? But she made her own mistakes—William's not to blame here." She went on, voice strong, "There's solid proof—those photos of you two in bed, the baby's DNA results... that stuff doesn't lie. You can deny it all you want, but William didn't do anything wrong." That last sentence nailed the guilt onto Elizabeth again. Whatever doubt William had was gone in an instant. Michael froze. "What bed photos? Me and Elizabeth? We've only seen each other once in two years! Catherine, what the hell are you talking about?" William's eyes turned colder. "Oh, so that's fake now too? She literally tried to kill herself just to pin it all on Catherine to protect you. And you still won't admit it?" Michael let out a dry laugh, more furious than anything. "Elizabeth tried to frame Catherine? William, if you're so sure about this woman over her, then why don't you just freaking divorce Elizabeth and marry your precious Sawyer? You two deserve each other—perfect pair of lowlifes!" "You think I'd let you two ride off into the sunset after that? Keep dreaming." William gave a chilly smirk and ordered, "Throw him out. If he dares show up again, break his legs." "William, you'll regret this someday. I swear, your life's gonna be full of pain and loss." Michael was dragged away by several men, but his curse hung in the hallway like a cold draft, chilling to the bone. "William, they..." Catherine's face had gone pale, Michael's words rattling something deep inside her. William glanced at her briefly, then said offhandedly, "How'd you know about the photos?"