Those words were truly hurtful. Claudia said in disbelief, "When have we ever treated you like this? How can you say that?"

"Look me in the eye and say you've never treated me as a tool!"

"When did we ever treat you like that?"

Their argument was so loud that it caught the attention of Mark and the others. Assisted by Laura, he hurried over, his voice ringing out before he even reached them. "What's going on? What are you arguing about?"

Claudia's chest heaved as she strived to maintain her composure befitting a lady. She turned around, taking a moment to steady herself.

The sorrow and disappointment in Josie's heart intensified when she saw Mark. She gazed at him, her eyes blurred by tears.

That look in her eyes broke Mark's heart. He stepped forward, gently patting her hand, and lowered his voice. "Did you have a fight with your mother? Don't take her words to heart, Leanne. She just cares too much about you. She might've said inappropriate things, but I'm sure she means well. Don't be mad, okay?"

Zach was taken aback by the way his stern and decisive father was appeasing Josie.

"Dad" he began, but Laura swiftly kicked him, stopping him from speaking.

However, all those were merely acts of pretense and insincerity in Josie's eyes. It only made her question why they hadn't shown up at the airport two years ago.

Tears fell from her eyes and landed on Mark's hand, their scorching warmth shattering his heart. Feeling sorry for Josie, he took a tissue from the servant and tried wiping her tears away, but she stopped him and said calmly, "According to familial ties, I should call you my father."

"Yes-"

Before Mark could even revel in joy, he heard her say, "So I think I shouldn't keep things from you. I'm also tired of constantly being threatened over this matter."

A chill ran down Claudia's spine. She immediately turned around, "Josie..."

Puzzled, Mark said, "Let her speak."

"1"

"Josie!"

"I have a child."

The first to express surprise was Zach. "What?"

Mark's expression froze, and his body swayed unsteadily but was thankfully supported by Laura.

"She's an adorable girl, just over a

year

old. She doesn't have an official name yet. I plan to give her my surname, Warren. My so-called mother is against it. What about you? Do you have any objections?"

"A child? With the surname Warren?"

Josie maintained a calm demeanor, articulating every word clearly, "I really don't understand. You've never fulfilled your parental responsibilities toward me since I was a child. Why are you trying to interfere with my life now?"

Mark's face flushed crimson, a clear sign of his intense frustration. His heart ached tremendously. "No Leanne... When you disappeared all those years ago, we never wanted..."

"Yes, perhaps you never wanted that to happen, but what about now? Two years ago, I hoped that you would persuade me to stay. But what was your response to me then?" "What are you talking about?"

"You all "

Before Josie could finish his sentence, Laura, while calming Mark down, interrupted her, "Okay. Let's not talk about this now. Dad, are you okay?"

Mark's flushed face morphed into a sickly shade of purple. He panted heavily, struggling to catch his breath, and within seconds, he closed his eyes and collapsed.

"Dad!"

"Mark!"This content © 2024 .

Amid the chaos, Josie stood in bewilderment and panic.

As she watched Mark being carried away by the servants, she staggered and took two steps back, overwhelmed by remorse.

How did it turn out like this?