No Place for You

Their Version of the Truth

Because I didn't want to expose our identities, the father's name was never filled on Ollie's kindergarten records. So the teachers had never known who his father was.

The moment Stellan heard that the father's column was empty, his certainty only deepened. "Ivy, you've had it hard all these years raising a child alone. You've been stubborn long enough. Come home with me."

Ollie didn't understand what we were arguing about. He only leaned close to my ear and whispered softly, "Mommy, are we not eating fries anymore?"

As if he'd heard something unforgivable, Stellan exploded. "Ivy Stein, how could you let my son eat that kind of junk? You used to love those cheap street foods, and now you're dragging my son along to eat filthy food like that too?! What if something happens to him? Can you take responsibility for that? He's my family's sole heir!"

I couldn't believe him. Since when did having the nanny make fresh fries at home for my baby count as unhygienic now?!

I ignored Stellan completely and carried my son toward my car. But Stellan stepped in front of the door. "Don't put my son in your beat-up car. Don't make him suffer."

To avoid drawing attention, I'd deliberately chosen an unremarkable car. It wasn't flashy, but the entire back seat had been modified for Ollie's safety and comfort.

If Stellan had bothered to glance inside even once, he would've seen that I did have a child—and that I'd protected him well. But the entire time, he'd never cared about anything related to me and only pointed smugly at his Mercedes-Benz. "Only I can give you the best life."

Just then, Amelia walked over in a formal evening dress, completely out of place amid the noisy street. Even she lifted her heels slightly in distaste and frowned. "Stellan, didn't you go to pick Ivy up? Why are you still here? After this, you're supposed to come with me to meet the mysterious Mr. Calloway, who just took over the family business."

The moment Stellan saw her, his expression softened. "I remember, Amelia. Don't worry. I won't forget your things. Something came up with Ivy, and I need to sort it out first. I'll go with you to meet Beckett Calloway in a bit.

"You're so beautiful; he'll definitely like you and make you his missus. The Calloways are the most powerful family in all of Northbank—far stronger than my family. You'll surely have your happily ever after, Amelia. I'll be quick. Just wait for me, okay?"

Their conversation stumped me for a moment. 'Are they saying what I think they're saying? Lane's fine with Stellan reuniting with his ex, and he's helping her find her next husband? And most importantly, the Beckett Calloway in their conversation… My husband, Beckett Calloway?'

I gazed grimly at Amelia. 'This woman brings me nothing but trouble.'

"What can I say—I'm irresistible," Amelia said smugly. Then, she turned and saw me holding a child, and her voice shot up in shock. "Ivy, who's this?!"

Stellan panicked and rushed to explain. "He's my son, Amelia. Hear me out."

Amelia clutched her chest as if she'd been dealt a devastating blow. "Stellan, you had a child with her behind my back? You could've chosen not to marry me back then—why betray me like this? You refused to touch me all these years—is it because of her and that child?"

Seeing her in distress, Stellan hurried to comfort her. "Amelia, it's not what you think. This was before we got married. She was so done with being poor and didn't want to lose me that she got pregnant, using it to tie me down. I only found out today. Amelia, don't stoop to her level, okay?"

Amelia pointed at me with trembling rage. "Ivy, how can you be so shameless? I can't believe you secretly gave birth to Stellan's son! Do you have any sense of decency at all?"

My son didn't understand what she was saying, only that she was attacking me. He immediately pointed at her nose with his tiny finger and shouted angrily, "You bad woman! Why are you scolding my mommy? You're a meanie!"

Amelia raised her hand to strike him. I instantly turned sideways with Ollie in one arm and caught her wrist with the other.