chapter 2

My stepmother was always harsh with words towards me, but she had never laid a hand on me, let alone Luna.

But just now, that kick she gave, she really put some force into it, which completely baffled me.

Luna curled up on the ground, groaning in pain.

"Mom..." she looked at Vivian in disbelief, "Did you hit me?"

Grandma was the first to react, screaming and blocking Vivian, "Vivian, have you gone mad! She's pregnant!" She held Luna tightly in her arms.

Dad also roared, "You wicked woman! To lay such heavy hands on a child, are you trying to kill two birds with one stone?"

He rushed over and pushed Vivian away.

Vivian staggered a few steps, hitting the corner of the coffee table, letting out a muffled groan.

But she didn't even look at them, her bloodshot eyes fixed on me.

The look in her eyes was complex, with a hint of urgency.

I stood still, glaring fiercely at Tristan.

Tristan quickly stepped forward and helped Luna up from the ground, "Luna, are you okay? Are you hurt?"

His tone was full of concern.

My heart sank little by little.

Luna cried even harder in his arms, "Brother-in-law... I'm in so much pain... my stomach hurts... our baby..."

Victor's face turned completely dark.

He turned his head, glaring at Tristan like an enraged lion, "Tristan! Explain yourself to me!"

Tristan helped Luna, looking pained and struggling, "Uncle, I... I didn't mean to. I like Luna, and we were both drunk that day... I really don't know how it happened..."

What "liking Luna," what "being drunk"?!

He admitted it.

I looked at them, and the anger I had been holding in suddenly dissipated, leaving me feeling numb.

"Sienna," Victor turned his gaze towards me, "This is the man you chose! Look at you, you can't even keep your own man in check! You've brought shame upon the Ashmore family!"

That was my dad's logic. Clearly they were the ones cheating, but somehow I'm the one losing face.

From childhood to adulthood, everything Luna does is right, and even though I haven't done anything, faults can still be found in me.

"Great, just great," I sneered, "These two cheaters are having an affair, and it's my fault for not keeping a tight leash on them?"

"You can't even keep your own man, and you still have the nerve to talk back?"

Grandma, holding Luna, chimed in, "If you weren't so mean to Tristan all the time, would he make such a mistake? It's your own fault! Now that something has happened, who do you blame? Luna? She's the most innocent one here!"

Luna timely threw herself into her grandmother's arms and cried, but her eyes glanced at me triumphantly, "Grandma, don't blame my sister... it's all my fault... I shouldn't have feelings for my sister's husband..."

Grandma felt even more heartbroken and comforted her repeatedly, "It's your sister's misfortune!"

Vivian stood up from the ground, rubbing her waist, and coldly watched the whole scene.

"Enough, stop crying," she said to Luna in a cold tone, "It's embarrassing."

She then looked at Victor, "Now is not the time to figure out who's right or wrong. Quickly take Luna to the hospital for a check-up! If something happens to the child, you won't even have time to cry!"

I understood that Vivian was just anxious for a moment, but at a critical moment, she was still protecting her daughter.

Victor immediately reacted, "Yes, let's go to the hospital!"

Tristan quickly ran over to pick up Luna, "I'll carry her, I'll take her there!"

He ran past me with her in his arms, not even looking at me.

Grandma hurriedly followed, constantly saying, "My precious, you must be safe..."

Soon, only Vivian and I were left in the living room.

Vivian walked over, stood in front of me, and looked down at me.

"Sienna," her voice full of mockery, "Is this the man you chose? He's nothing special."

I raised my head, my eyes empty, "You don't need to worry about it," my voice hoarse.

She suddenly laughed, "Do you think Tristan approached you for love? The Kensington family is facing a cash flow crisis!"

"They need the Ashmore family's marriage to survive, and they need the inheritance your mother left to fill the gap."

"He approached you for that share! He's just too useless, couldn't resist Luna's temptation. Do you see it clearly now?"

I felt chills listening to Vivian's words.

I knew Tristan approached me for the family alliance, but I thought there was at least some sincerity between us.

I retorted stubbornly, "It's your precious daughter, picking up the trash I don't want."

Vivian, seeing me talk back, surprisingly didn't get angry, but rather pleased, "Do you think Luna just wants your man? What she wants is everything you have. If you don't wake up, you'll have nothing left."

With that, she turned and left.

"Don't forget, relying on yourself is the only way out."

I stood there, pondering her intention for reminding me of this.

Was there a bigger conspiracy waiting for me from her and her daughter?