The words "personally" struck me like a thunderbolt.

The bowl of bird's nest porridge in my hand suddenly shook, and the scalding porridge splashed onto the back of my hand, leaving a red mark that made my fingertips numb with pain. But this pain was nothing compared to the overwhelming chill in my heart.

My whole body stiffened, as if I were nailed to the spot, my blood frozen.

Liam's voice rang out, so gentle it could melt your heart. It was a tenderness I had never heard before, a stark contrast to the weary, perfunctory tone he used when speaking to me: "For you, what can't I do? You risked sepsis to give birth to Zeke for me. The doctor said only Clara's bone marrow could save you. I can't let my son never even get close to becoming the heir of the Liam family ."

Zeke... It turns out Vanessa already had a son for him.

Bone marrow... to save Vanessa?

My mind went blank, and my ears were ringing.