Chapter 3

　　Kay hadn't yet left the lab when the director of the research institute came rushing in and cornered her inside.

　　Anger blazed in Bruno Finch's eyes as he jabbed a finger at the news story on his phone, his voice cold.

　　"Kay, hasn't this drug been under your charge all along? So why has it suddenly gone public? And the researcher is someone else entirely!"

　　"You'd better give me an explanation today!"

　　Kay opened her phone.

　　"Director Finch, it was my failure. I didn't safeguard the drug and the related files."

　　"I only discovered today that someone broke into the lab and stole my drug and all of my research data."

　　Bruno's brow knit tight.

　　"Is that so? What proof do you have?"

　　Kay handed him her phone, pointing at the security footage on the screen.

　　"I installed a high-definition camera in my lab. Anyone who so much as sets foot inside gets recorded."

　　"The footage clearly shows those two stealing my drug, start to finish."

　　Something dark and unreadable flickered in Bruno's eyes. He gave a light cough.

　　"Understood. I'll handle this as quickly as I can."

　　"Leave this video with me for now. And don't keep any evidence on your end."

　　Kay's brow furrowed.

　　"Why?"

　　Bruno looked at her long and hard, his expression complicated.

　　"Kay, I'm doing this for your own good."

　　With that, he turned and walked out with his people, not once looking back.

　　Kay didn't understand the meaning behind that look, but Bruno had always been good to her, so she followed his advice. Besides, she still had a backup of the video herself.

　　She went straight back to the Delgado home to discuss the divorce with Silas.

　　What she didn't expect was that Rose Pruitt would be there too.

　　At that moment, Rose was directing the household servants to haul things out, load after load.

　　Kay glanced over without much thought and saw her own personal clothing.

　　And the seven-leaf flower her father had left behind, the one she had nursed so carefully for so long before it finally took root and lived.

　　The servant carrying the flowerpot tossed it carelessly onto the ground. Kay had no time to think. She lunged to catch it.

　　Just as her hands were about to reach the pot, a shove slammed into her back. Her body pitched sideways, and she crashed hard to the floor, flowerpot and all.

　　The crisp shatter struck straight at Kay's heart. Never mind her bruised arm, she scrambled to pick the herb back out of the broken shards of porcelain.

　　Blood mixed with soil clung to her face, her clothes. She was a wretched mess.

　　"Hahahahaha!"

　　Laughter like tinkling silver bells rang out behind her. Rose was cradling a white puppy not even a month old, doubled over with laughter.

　　"Kay, sweetie, I know you came from the countryside, but you've married into the Delgado family now. How can you still not shake off that hick streak?"

　　"Every other lady of standing keeps flowers and pretty plants at home, and here you are treating a pile of weeds like some treasure. Aren't you afraid people will laugh at Silas?"

　　Kay carefully checked the leaves of the seven-leaf flower, then slowly raised her head to look at Rose.

　　"A thief isn't afraid of being laughed at. So what do I have to fear?"

　　At that, a flash of humiliation crossed Rose's eyes. Then she turned toward Silas, who had appeared at some point without her noticing.

　　"Silas, is Kay blaming me?"

　　"How can she call me a thief?"

　　"I already gave her money. Why would she describe me with such ugly words?"

　　The moment Silas saw Rose's tears, his heart went out to her. He pulled her into his arms to soothe her.

　　"She spoke out of turn. How could you possibly be a thief?"

　　"I'll make her apologize to you, all right?"

　　Then he shot Kay a displeased glance.

　　"What you just said was way out of line. Apologize to Rose!"

　　The words landed, and Kay stared at Silas in disbelief.

　　He was making her apologize?

　　Making her, the wronged first wife, apologize to the mistress who had stolen from her.

　　By what right!

　　Even though she had long given up on Silas, seeing him take Rose's side without the slightest reason still left an unavoidable ache in her chest.

　　She forced back the tears about to fall and said in a cold voice,

　　"Was I wrong?"

　　"She forced her way into someone else's space and took what didn't belong to her. If that isn't stealing, then what is!"

　　"And on top of that she nearly destroyed my herb. This was my father's—"

　　Before she could finish, Silas cut her off, his voice cold.

　　"Kay, I told you to apologize!"