Chapter 8

Alexander was beaten back relentlessly.

Yet he stubbornly turned his head to look at Liam.

My brother laughed heartily and scooped Liam up.

"You're truly a Qiao through and through. As decisive as your mother was back in the day."

"I just hope you don't end up as unlucky as her when you grow up, meeting such scum."

I shot my brother an annoyed look.

I reached out and took Liam into my arms.

Liam buried his little face in my shoulder.

A warm wetness soon seeped through my clothes.

My heart clenched.

I gently patted his back.

"Liam, Mommy knows it's cruel to make you face a father like that."

"It's Mommy's fault for not protecting you better."

But Liam shook his head forcefully, his voice muffled.

"Mommy, it's not your fault."

"I'm the one who's sorry."

"Mommy stayed with someone like this for so long because of me."

He hurriedly wiped his tears away.

His clear, bright eyes held a determined glint.

"Don't worry, Mommy. Liam will definitely protect you from now on."

I couldn't help but chuckle at his words.

I lovingly booped his little nose.

"Okay."

Alexander still refused to give up.

The immigration paperwork would take some time.

He somehow found out mine and Liam's address.

Though there were bodyguards stationed around, arranged by my brother, he didn't dare approach.

But a shadowy figure constantly loitering at the entrance was really affecting my mood.

Alexander finally couldn't hold back.

He paid a hefty sum to bribe a security guard into passing me a message.

He said he wasn't here to cause trouble this time.

He just wanted to discuss the asset division.

I pondered for a moment and eventually agreed.

I thought Alexander was just using it as an excuse to see me.

But upon arriving at the Roscente Group, he immediately pushed the company seal toward me.

He had become gaunt, with dark circles under his eyes.

These days spent stalking me and Liam had left him looking like a homeless man.

Seeing he seemed sincere, I frowned.

"Alexander, are you dying?"

"Trying to do some good deeds before you go?"

Alexander didn't get angry at my harsh words.

He just slumped wearily back into his chair.

He forced a pale smile and suddenly pointed at a painting on the wall.

"Isabella, do you remember that?"

I followed his gaze. The painting was covered in a layer of dust.

It was a crude crayon drawing of two adults holding a child's hand, with a house, trees, and a sun beside them.

It was from when Liam was two years old, during a trip our family took to the park.

Back then, Alexander and I were still on good terms. Having Liam made everything sweeter.

Liam had always been clever.

He huffed and puffed to draw this painting and insisted it be hung in Alexander's office.

He said with childish earnestness that it was a family portrait, so Daddy would think of us while working overtime.

The memory tugged at my heartstrings, and I felt a slight stir.

But that was all.

Under Alexander's hopeful gaze, I walked forward and took the painting down.

I used both hands and tore it in half.

One half showed Liam and me holding hands under the sun.

The other half was Alexander's lonely figure.

Alexander shot to his feet, his voice trembling.

"Why, Isabella? Won't you even leave me this last keepsake?"

I carefully tucked away the half with Liam and me.

I let out a cold laugh.

"Alexander, let me ask you one thing."

"If it was Liam who was kidnapped, while you, Scarlett, and your Noah were safe and sound."

"Would you still have thought of us then?"

Alexander was immediately speechless.

All color drained from his face.

Finally, he bowed his head in defeat.

After a long while, he only managed to squeeze out one sentence.

"I'm sorry."