Chapter 3

Tyler did not even pause to think before running down to the underground garage in a hurry. The moment he got out of the elevator, he saw Annaliese and Jonathan kissing passionately in a car. Tyler covered his mouth at once so that he wouldn't make a sound. Annaliese was flushed, and she looked as if she was already aroused. She suddenly straddled Jonathan. "You little bitch. You're never satisfied!" Jonathan's hands roamed all over her body, and there was a hungry look in his eyes. "Don't you want me now that your precious husband is back? Forget it. I didn't come for this anyway. I came to tell you how that child is doing—" "You can talk later. Let's get down to business!" Before Jonathan could finish, Annaliese pulled off her skirt quickly, exposing her long, pale legs. Jonathan glanced smugly out the window. "Ms. Murphy, how could you be so heartless? That's your child! I hear that he's having a very hard time, as he's often bullied for not having any parents. Haven't you ever thought of bringing him back?" Annaliese paused for a few seconds and slid off him. She rubbed her temples wearily. "Forget it. So many years have passed. If Ty finds out that Corey isn't his, he won't be able to accept it." "Ultimately, you still can't bear to hurt him! What does that make my son and me, then?" Jonathan pretended to be angry, and his tone became harsher. Annaliese smiled and leaned in close to his neck. "What nonsense are you talking about? You and our son are my first priority. Otherwise, why would I have gone to all the trouble of getting rid of the child I had with Ty before giving birth to Corey? "I did it so that Corey would become the main successor of the Murphys, so both of you would be set for life. As for Ty, he's my childhood friend, and we have a child together. I can't be that heartless." Upon hearing this, Jonathan glanced triumphantly out the window once more. His eyes met Tyler's, who was as pale as a sheet. "Are you really going to leave that child out there and hide it from Tyler for the rest of his life?" Annaliese sighed wearily. "Let's just leave things at that. Ty has Corey, and that's enough. As for the child, go and see him when you can and give him more money." Jonathan tugged at Annaliese's collar and brushed his finger across her cheek. "Ms. Murphy, you know that I can't compare with Mr. Stone. However, all fathers want the best for their children. I can't let Corey be known as an illegitimate son for the rest of his life. So, I'm sorry…" Annaliese's eyes softened at once, and she hugged Jonathan tightly. "Why are you apologizing? I did it all willingly. If anyone is to blame, it's that child himself for being unlucky enough to be born as my child with Ty." She raised her hand and gently wiped away the crocodile tears that Jonathan was shedding. The tender look in her eyes felt like a knife stabbing right into Tyler's heart. Tyler dug his nails into the palms of his hands. Blood trickled out from between his fingers, but he could not feel any pain at all. How could the pain in his hands compare to what he felt in his heart? When Tyler left the hospital, he was in a daze. The sun shone down on him as he stumbled down the road, looking like a zombie. Sweat mingled with his tears and blurred his vision. They soaked his clothes, but he was completely unaware of it as he continued walking aimlessly. Along the way, he lost his shoes, and his feet were soon scraped and bloody. He was run over by a car, and blood gushed out of the wound on his forehead. He walked for an entire day before getting back to Murphy Manor. The butler jumped in shock when he saw Tyler, and he hurried up to ask, "What happened to you, Mr. Stone? Ms. Murphy was searching for you all night. She's beside herself with worry. Have you seen her?" Tyler's lips twitched slightly, and he gave the butler a bleak smile. Yes. Everyone thought that Annaliese was madly in love with him. He was the only one who knew that it was a lie. He shook his head and said hoarsely, "I'm fine. I just need to rest for a while." He stumbled upstairs and locked himself in the bathroom. He slumped against the door in a daze, and images of Annaliese with Jonathan flashed through his mind. He could no longer bear it. He bent over and began throwing up. He had thought that he had already accepted the facts, but after seeing her betrayal with his own eyes, the wound in his heart had been torn open once more. It was unbelievably painful. His sobs echoed in the bathroom, and even though he had turned on all the taps, they could not hide the sound. He really wanted to ask Annaliese how she had managed to play the part of a loving wife while cheating on him with the college student she'd financially assisted. He sat in a daze for the entire night and only felt the pain subside early the next morning. Today was the day he had made an appointment to get his visa done. He could not let it be delayed. After carefully dressing his wounds, he changed into proper attire and went out. Annaliese called him several times while he did so and tried to connect with him via video call, but he ignored them all. After completing all the procedures, he dragged his exhausted body back to the villa at noon. However, Jonathan was in the living room, playing a game with Corey.