Part 2Heir to Nothing

Julian was speechless. He grabbed my arm and practically dragged me into his office.

The moment the door clicked shut, he exploded.

"What is wrong with you?! Do you have to air our dirty laundry in public?"

"I just want the truth," I said calmly.

"The truth is she is my cousin! I let her wear the watch for a few days to show off to her friends! Is that a crime?"

I looked at him and suddenly felt nothing but pity.

When did our marriage become nothing but cheap lies?

Just then, my phone rang.

It was my mother-in-law.

I put it on speaker. Her shrill voice filled the room.

"Chloe! Are you harassing Julian at work again? Do you have no shame? A woman running around in public like that... people will think the Zhou family relies on you to eat!"

She paused to take a breath.

"And let me tell you, don't think you can hide it forever. If you can't get pregnant, stop hogging the position! The Zhou bloodline cannot end with you!"

Julian’s face went white.

He tried to snatch the phone, but I dodged him.

"Mom, what do you mean by that?" I asked.

"What do I mean? Julian told me everything! Five years and your stomach has been flat as a board. The doctor said you’re the problem! You can't carry a child!"

Her voice got louder.

"Now that his cousin is finally willing to help out as a surrogate, you have the nerve to cause trouble? Do you want the whole world to know you’re a hen that can’t lay eggs?"

So that was it.

He had scripted the whole thing.

He pushed all the blame onto me.

I hung up and looked at Julian.

He looked away, terrified to meet my gaze.

"Julian."

I enunciated every word. "Is that what you told her?"

He was silent for a long time before squeezing a sentence through his teeth.

"I just... didn't want her to worry."

"Didn't want her to worry? Or were you paving the way to bring your illegitimate child home?"

He snapped his head up.

"Chloe, since you know, I won't hide it."

"I need a son. I need an heir for everything we've built."

"And you can't give me one."

Finally. The mask was off.

"So, the baby in Mia's belly is yours?"

I stared into his eyes, looking for a shred of guilt.

I found none. Only entitlement.

"We haven't... yet. But soon," he looked away. "Mia is a good girl. She’s willing to bear my child without asking for a title."

"Without asking for a title?" I laughed out loud.

"So the Patek Philippe, the luxury apartment she just leased, and the cash transfers you’ve been making... those just fell from the sky?"

Julian’s expression shifted rapidly.

"That’s just compensation!"

"Compensation?" I stepped closer. "Are you compensating your mistress with company funds?"

He was cornered. Shame turned into rage.

"Enough! Chloe! This doesn't concern you! Just stay in your lane as Mrs. Zhou and I won't mistreat you!"

"Mrs. Zhou?" I looked at him.

"You know what? I really don't want that title anymore."

I turned to leave. He grabbed me from behind.

"Where are you going?"