Chapter 3

Chapter 3

With the system's physical boost, I recovered within twenty-four hours and checked into my quiet rental apartment.

Without their endless drama buzzing in my ears, I finally found peace.

Two days later, while I was having lunch, a squad of men in black suits kicked my door open.

"That's her," the leader barked. "Take her!"

Before I could react, they clamped a hand over my mouth and dragged me back to the mansion I used to share with Bryce.

In the living room, Kendra was cradling a wailing infant. Her eyes lit up when she saw me.

"Avery, you're finally back!"

She immediately put on a pitiful pout.

"The baby hasn't stopped crying since Bryce brought her to me. Did you do something to her?"

"She's your own flesh and blood. How could you…"

Before she could finish her hypocritical act, my maternal instincts took over and I grabbed my daughter into my arms.

The moment she touched my chest, her cries quieted down. She looked up at me with wide, teary eyes and a tiny smile.

Bryce stared in stunned silence.

He didn't notice Kendra's face contort with jealousy.

Kendra forced a melancholic smile.

"A real mother's bond is truly special…"

"Unlike me. I'll probably never get the chance to hold a baby of my own…"

She broke into a fit of violent coughing, her face turning paper-white.

Bryce snapped out of his daze and rushed to pull Kendra into his arms, rubbing her back with practiced ease.

It looked like a routine he had performed a thousand times.

Kendra feigned resistance, gently pushing at his chest.

"Avery is still watching…"

"Don't worry about her," Bryce replied coldly. "You are my wife now."

He glared at the nanny standing nearby.

"What are you waiting for? Take the baby back!"

My daughter had just drifted to sleep.

Kendra took her back gingerly, putting on a gentle facade.

The next second, the baby let out an agonizing, bloodcurdling shriek.

Her tiny arms flailed wildly, and her pale skin rapidly turned from red to a terrifying purple.

"What's happening?!" Kendra screamed in tears.

"She was fine just a second ago! What happened to her?!"

"To the hospital, now!" Bryce ordered, grabbing Kendra and rushing toward the door.

Halfway out, he glanced back at his bodyguards.

"Bring Avery too!"

At the private hospital, the doctor examined the fading infant with a grim expression.

"This child appears to be severely poisoned."

Just then, the nanny rushed into the emergency wing carrying Toby.

"Mr. Campbell, young master Toby's breathing is shallow, and his lips are turning blue!"

Bryce went pale with shock.

"How could this happen to both of them?"

The doctor inspected Toby and frowned.

"It's the exact same toxin. Quick, prep them for emergency detox!"

Bryce spun around and glared at me with pure fury.

"Avery! What did you poison them with? She's only four days old! How could you be so vicious?"

"No wonder you gave up your rights so easily and let Kendra move in. You planned this whole thing to frame her, didn't you?!"

I shook my head vigorously.

"I didn't do anything! They are my children! I would never poison them!"

"You can't accuse me without any proof!"

Bryce sneered, deaf to my words.

"Haven't you pulled enough tricks like this? You ruined Kendra's health, and now you're targeting innocent children!"

Tears streamed down my cheeks.

Even if Toby had broken my heart, he was still my flesh and blood. I would never want him dead.

I tried to follow the gurney, but two bodyguards pinned my arms behind my back.

Bryce's voice was like ice.

"You want to run? You stay right here until my children are safe."