I Raised My Husband's Love Child

Chapter 5

Under the watchful gaze of the crowd, I reached into my bag and pulled out a finely crafted sandalwood box, its intricate carvings glistening in the light. I handed it to Stephen with a calm, measured tone. "This is the Walton family heirloom. I had planned to pass it down to Kian as my chosen successor."

"Even though he no longer acknowledges me as his mother, in my heart, he will always be my son. I'm giving you this heirloom as a blessing for the happiness and harmony of your family."

Stephen's eyes widened, disbelief flashing across his face. He hesitated for a moment, then cautiously took the box from my hands and opened it. Inside was a vintage gold lock, worn with age yet still unmistakably valuable.

The room fell silent, and then gasps rippled through the crowd.

"It's really the Walton family heirloom? Has Daphne completely lost it? Blessing them after everything they've done?"

"She must've cracked under the pressure. Who could survive being betrayed like that by their husband and son?"

"This is too much. To love them so deeply, only for them to take everything and leave her high and dry…"

"But why isn't she fighting back? This is just pathetic!"

"Seriously, she's the textbook definition of a doormat, giving everything and ending up with nothing!"

The audience murmured their contempt, some openly sneering at my actions. Rosie, ever the cruel onlooker, clapped her hands mockingly and sneered.

"Daphne, when you used to sponsor me, I thought you were just a fool with too much money. But today? You've outdone yourself. You're not just a fool, you're the most pitiful doormat I've ever seen!"

Kian scowled in disgust. "Good thing you're not my real mom. You're embarrassing."

Stephen rolled his eyes, clearly fed up. "Daphne, marrying you was the biggest mistake of my life. From now on, don't ever tell anyone you know me. I can't afford to be linked to someone like you."

With that, he draped his arm around Rosie, and together with my son, they turned and walked out of the press conference without a second glance.

The fallout was immediate. The incident exploded on social media, and I quickly became the number one trending topic. The reporters had livestreamed everything, and people across the country witnessed my public humiliation.

Netizens couldn't contain their fury on my behalf.

"Was this woman born desperate for a man? She's simping for that trash of a husband?"

"Exactly! They stomped all over her, and she still blesses them? I'm so angry!"

"I can't believe how pathetic she is. How could she put up with this?"

"Can we stop trending this nonsense? My blood pressure's through the roof!"

The internet was buzzing with outrage. Some felt sorry for me, but others criticized me for being weak and passive. A few even reached out with offers to help me capitalize on my "tragic" story by livestreaming my heartbreak to gain sympathy and recoup some of my losses.