Chapter 352

Earlier, at the Johnston residence, I exposed Tanya. She must have been furious. She stood by her car, gripping the door as if ready to assault me. Then, unexpectedly, she knelt before my car.

I was taken aback. I anticipated begging, but this was a surprising tactic. This woman was a master manipulator. Her kneeling didn't faze me; I could handle it, especially considering she'd stolen my fiancé. However, her pregnancy worried me. If anything happened to her, she'd likely blame me.

I wouldn't let her remain there, but I wasn't foolish enough to help. She was clearly using her pregnancy, and any concern from me would only embolden her. I smirked and mocked, "What's all this about?"

"Keira, I'm begging you. Please, spare me. Spare my child. Let them have a chance," she pleaded.

The 3:30 afternoon sun blazed, directly on her face. She was using the baby as a shield—Desmond's unborn child. But I remained unmoved. "What exactly did I do that requires you to be 'spared'?"

Tanya's lips trembled. "I admit stealing Jace was wrong. But I wanted a better life. You can't blame me for trying to improve my circumstances. I don't think I was wrong."

What a convenient excuse for betraying me.

I gave her a cold glance. "You trample others to get what you want, and that's acceptable? Why are you on your knees now?"

Ignoring my retort, she said, "We're different. The Johnstons treat you like family, regardless of Jace. You have their love and a good life. But I've been poor for too long." She subtly reminded me of my foster child status.

She was a master of victimhood. She'd unexpectedly unleash her claws—a small scratch, yet enough to leave a mark.

Her logic was absurd. "So, poverty justifies this behavior? Should we award medals to bank robbers?"

My sarcasm was heavy, but she didn't flinch. By then, she'd likely braced herself for any humiliation. I had to admit, she was as persistent as she was manipulative.

"My mother's had three strokes and is paralyzed. My father quit his job to care for her. And my brother… you've seen him. The burden's on me. No matter how hard I worked, it was never enough." Tanya presented herself as the family martyr.

I hadn't expected this. I knew they weren't wealthy, but I hadn't realized their situation was this dire. Brad's entitled attitude had been misleading.

"Desmond's helped me for years. His parents made my life miserable, stressing him out. He took on side jobs, and Jace helped him a lot. Of course, he helped me too."

As she spoke, I pictured Desmond—always smiling, calm, and steady, a calming presence.