Chapter 96

Hayden remained silent, his cold gaze fixed on me. I wondered if he expected an explanation, knowing full well no one in the room would believe me. I hadn't realized his cruelty until this moment.

The tense silence lasted only a moment before Deborah's voice broke through. "While I was at Rosy House, those two always went back to the same bedroom every night." She continued, "Where's the so-called separation? Yvonne's been busy these past few days, so she came back late."

I was stunned. While Deborah had offered to help at Rosy House, I'd assumed it was a ploy to get me to return. I hadn't expected her unwavering support. Her words offered a small measure of warmth, a feeling that not everyone was indifferent and heartless.

Joanna clenched her teeth, shooting me a furious glare, then sneered, "So Yvonne will be pregnant soon, then?" Her sarcasm erased Deborah's comforting words, plunging me back into the fray. Layla's disdainful gaze shifted from my face to my flat stomach. "She's been married for over a year and still isn't pregnant. Is there something wrong with her?" she mocked, her words cutting. Her heavily made-up face concealed her true skin tone; I saw no resemblance to Hayden.

"Enough," Deborah interjected, her tone icy. "When you first married, it took you three years to get pregnant with Hayden. Have you already forgotten that!"

Layla's face paled under the public humiliation; a flicker of hatred toward Deborah crossed her features. "Mrs. Parker, things are different."

"What's so different?" Deborah retorted. "When the time comes for them to have children, they'll have them. Yvonne and Hayden are still young."

Deborah's repeated defense touched me deeply; my eyes welled with gratitude. Before, at the Parker residence, everyone seemed against me. Now, with Deborah's support, I felt protected.

Layla, silenced twice, rolled her eyes in frustration. Xander, sensing the tension, simply looked at me and said, "It's good that you're back. Have a seat."

"Yes, Mr. Parker," I replied, feigning hesitation. "But it seems there's no seat left for me." I glanced at Joanna. According to the usual rules, as Hayden's wife, I should be sitting beside him, but Joanna occupied my rightful place. While I avoided looking at Hayden, I didn't want to be made to feel humiliated.

Nevin, observing the scene keenly, chimed in, "That seat was never meant for you. You're still clinging to false hopes."

"What? You're calling her delusional?" I repeated, raising my voice.

Joanna's meticulously applied makeup twisted in anger. Nevin, realizing his mistake, hastily clarified, "I was talking about you. Don't twist my words. Hayden doesn't want to sit with—"

"Is that so?" I asked, turning to Hayden, silently questioning Nevin's statement.

Before Hayden could answer, Joanna interrupted. "This set of utensils has already been used, Yvonne. Why don't you find another seat? Are you seriously going to make a fuss over something so trivial!"

I lowered my eyes to the utensils before her. "That's right. Since you've used them, they must be dirty."

Joanna gritted her teeth, about to insult me, but remembering the setting, she forced a feigned expression of hurt. "Yvonne, are you saying I'm dirty? I don't know what I did to offend you, but why are you…"

As she began to cry, Hayden's face softened, showing concern. "None of your business," he said gently, handing her a tissue.

My heart felt as if it were being torn apart. Joanna, clutching the tissue, cried harder. "Mr. Parker, did I upset Yvonne? Should I leave?"

"You don't need to leave. Just eat your meal," Hayden interrupted, then turned his cold gaze toward me.

I shrugged. "I haven't said anything. Besides, if she leaves now, doesn't that mean all the preparation was for nothing?"

"Preparation!" Hayden's brow furrowed, his expression sharpening.

I didn't answer. Instead, I retrieved my phone and opened the livestream app. This was something Lucy had helped me set up. In today's social media age, people often live-streamed for money or fame, but Lucy did it out of boredom, flaunting her lavish lifestyle. She had initially suggested I stream, but I'd been uninterested, focused only on Hayden. Lucy had used my account to gain followers and streaming privileges, even going live herself, but soon lost interest. I never expected I'd actually need it. My earlier visit to Lucy had been for a quick tutorial. Since the Parkers treated me so poorly, it was time to expose their behavior.

As the livestream began, Lucy was the first to comment: "[Hayden is sitting with Joanna? What a bunch of scum.]" She sent digital dog poop to Hayden and Joanna's on-screen heads. My phone perfectly framed them together. Within minutes, more people joined. This was part of Lucy's promotional setup to maximize viewership. Seeing the rapidly rising numbers, I turned to Joanna. "Go ahead, and keep performing. I've just brought you over two thousand viewers."

Most viewers were there for the gossip. Rich family dramas and mistress-versus-wife conflicts were always popular. The chat buzzed with excitement.

Joanna seemed to realize what I was doing. Furious, she stood abruptly, pointing at me and shouting, "You're streaming! Stop filming!"

"You were just crying pitifully, weren't you? Keep going. Let everyone see how I've been bullied," I said with a mocking smile.

Hayden's face darkened. He coldly threatened, "Turn off the live stream."

I ignored him, countering, "How about you introduce us to the woman next to you? Who is she?"