Chapter 857

“I thought you weren’t going to show up,” Tanya said as soon as I walked in.

“Just tell me what you want?” I replied, studying her. Memories of her flooded back, some sharp, others faded, but one thing stood out: Tanya had completely upended my life. If not for her, maybe Jace and I would still be together. Maybe we’d even have a child by now, crawling around our home.

“Have you been to Desmond’s parents’ house recently? Seen the child?” she asked, catching me off guard.

The child. A pawn in her games. She hadn’t even looked back after giving birth, hadn’t visited once in over a year. Now she wanted to know about him?

“I have. The boy is doing well,” I said.

She nodded and smiled faintly. “See? He’s fine without a mother.”

“Stop dressing up your negligence,” I snapped. “What’s your point? Don’t tell me you suddenly want to claim that boy now.”

Tanya let out a hollow laugh. “I’m not that delusional. If he saw me, he’d probably cry.”

“At least you know,” I said coldly. “That boy doesn’t need you, Tanya. He’s better off without a mother like you.”

The words were harsh, but they weren’t wrong. With all the heinous crimes Tanya had committed, it was better for the child to grow up without knowing her.

“With Desmond’s parents in their condition, I doubt the child will live all that well,” Tanya said quietly, her gaze fixed on the table.

She wasn’t wrong. Desmond’s parents were old and worn down, their grief weighing heavy. Raising the boy had drained their savings, and the nanny they’d hired was barely keeping things afloat. If they’d been wealthy, Tanya wouldn’t have cheated on Desmond—a selfish choice that had ultimately led to his tragic end.

“Whether they live well or not is no longer your concern,” I said sharply. Tanya’s crimes ensured she’d either face the death penalty or spend the rest of her life behind bars.

Tanya stayed quiet for a beat, then leaned forward. “Desmond had a stock account. There’s money in it. Transfer the funds to the child.”

I froze, startled. Stocks? Jace had never mentioned Desmond having any investments. I locked eyes with her, and realization hit. The money wasn’t Desmond’s—it was hers, hidden under his name.

“That money won’t raise any comfortable life.”

“It’s clean,” she murmured. “Enough to give him a…”

Her sudden desire to leave something behind felt…strange. She’d ignored this child for so long, yet now, she wanted to make things right. I was surprised, unsure how to respond. Was this one of those “even the worst moms have a soft spot for their kids” moments?

“Keira, I know you don’t like me. You probably hate me. But at least do this for Desmond.” She was stripped of her usual arrogance.

“There’s no way that money’s clean,” I said flatly.

Her face hardened. “This is the only thing I’ve ever done for my child. Are you really going to take that away?”

“Your past is dirty, Tanya. Do you really want it staining his future too?”

She flinched but said nothing.

I continued. “Your intentions here are good, and I’ll make sure the child gets what he needs. But I’ll replace every cent in that account with my own money. That way, nothing from your past will touch him.”

Shock flickered in her eyes before it vanished behind a bitter laugh. “So money fixes everything, huh?”

Her obsession with wealth had ruined her. She’d destroyed Desmond, herself, and the life they might have had—all for a dream that slipped through her fingers. And now, even this small act of redemption would come from someone she despised.

Tanya said nothing more. She didn’t thank me or argue. She just stood abruptly, as if the conversation was over.

But before she could leave, I spoke up. “Wait. I have something else to ask you.”

Chapter 858