Matteo’s eyebrow twitched as he continued to scroll downwards. The article basically stated that Matteo was indeed the father of Emline’s child, and it had included Emline’s comnts on how she hoped that Matteo would be accepting of the newest addition to their little family.
She even fild a video!
Matteo clicked on it reluctantly and wished he hadn’t, for Emline’s teary voice began to echo through the room.
"I want to give my child a complete family, but Matteo Montgory has no intentions of fulfilling his responsibility as a father. Instead, he has demanded I do a retest." Emline dabbed at the corner of her eyes in desperation. "I have now lost the love of my family, yet he still refuses to step up."
"This is not the Matteo I grew up with― I can’t help but wonder, what has my cousin fed him that made him so heartless to turn both and my unborn child away? Is it because I’m no longer a heiress, while my cousin is now one?"
"Cousin, if you’re listening to ... Please... Please give my child a chance for a happy family. You can have the Hawthorne family fortune. All I want is Matteo by my side."
The video ended, and Matteo scrolled further down to see the netizens practically foaming at the mouth with anger, spitting vitriol at both him and Alia. However, he couldn’t help but notice the bulk of the hate seed to land on Alia.
The comnters were now casting aspirations on her character, wondering if she had poisoned the relationship between two childhood friends and turned everyone in the family against Emline. Several more imaginative readers even linked novels and claid Alia was behaving just like the villainess in those stories, snatching everything from the female lead while acting innocent.
"This is utterly bullshit," Matteo growled out. "Alia, don’t listen to them. They don’t know what they are talking about."
"Of course they don’t," Alia let out a humorless laugh. "But that doesn’t an they’re wrong. You are the father of Emline’s child. You need to take so responsibility. In the anti, I think it’s better for to move out."
"What? You can’t!" Matteo protested hotly. "That’s as good as admitting defeat! Emline will continue pushing―"
"Matteo! This isn’t about winning or losing! I’m tired, alright?" Alia burst out. He froze at her unexpected outburst. "And Emline will push her way in, whether I’m here or not!"
"You’re tired... of ?" Matteo said weakly, his heart stopping in shock. Alia saw the despair in his eyes and hurriedly shook her head.
"No, never, but... I’m tired of everything else. I just want a happy and peaceful marriage with you, but from the way things are now, that is simply not possible. I need a break. I’m tired of always being in the line of fire for her nonsense."
Alia’s voice was quiet at the end as though she was a dying ember in the fireplace, rapidly losing all warmth and light.
"I love you. I want to stand by you. But I’m just... so tired." Alia repeated, bowing her head in her hands. "Can you understand ?"
"Where will you go?" Matteo asked. "Do you want to go abroad? I can send you on a holiday―"
"No, there’s no need for a holiday," Alia said. "I have no energy for that. I’m going to move back to my father’s house for the ti being. I need so peace."
"I see, I understand."
What could Matteo do but agree? Anyone with eyes could see how exhausted Alia was, and Matteo felt guilt settle in the base of his spine. He had done this to her by pulling her into his life. He couldn’t help but recall the first ti he had t her, during their reunion, with wine in her hair.
The slump of her shoulders and the crestfallen, yet empty look in her eyes was awfully familiar. It hit him harder than a punch to the gut.
What right did he have to judge Caleb Walton when he had brought Alia to the sa state? The road to hell was paved with good intentions, and for all that Matteo claid that he would protect her and care for her, Alia was still getting hurt, simply because she was associated with him. If she did not have the backing of the Hawthornes, things would have been even more disastrous.
"I’ll sort it out," Matteo promised, kneeling down to clutch her hands in desperation like he was a sailor in need of a lifeline. "Just give so ti."
Alia nodded.
Aiden cleared his throat. "Well. I guess you guys can go then since no one is working today. Damn that Emline, she’s hell for workplace productivity."
Emline’s explosive revelation had all his employees in a chokehold. Who cared about business reports when there was a lodrama unfolding right in front of their eyes? Alia responded with a weak snort of amusent.
"You speak as though you have any workplace productivity to begin with," Alia said.
"Hey! I’ll let you know I’m a very productive person!" Aiden protested. "Look at the amount of work I’m procrastinating on!"
Alia snorted louder, while Matteo was less than amused.
"Be more serious about your work," Matteo growled out. "People’s livelihoods are depending on you, so get your act together and do your job."
Aiden scoffed and leaned back on the leather seat. "I don’t want to hear this from soone who can’t handle his own affairs. I’m not productive enough to knock up another woman when I have a fiancé!"
Matteo nearly lunged towards Aiden, trying to wring his neck, but Alia stopped him with a hand. "Matteo, leave it. Let’s just go."
Her soft, tired voice echoed in his ears like a gunshot. Matteo cast Aiden a final disparaging look before he led Alia out of the office, where they were greeted with stares from the staff. So of them were pitying and supportive, but most of them were judgental and hostile.
Eventually, they arrived ho in silence. Matteo watched as Alia started to pack her belongings into a duffel bag. Her hand hovered over the soft toy Matteo had won for her on their family vacation as she hesitated.
"Take it with you," Matteo said. "I won it for you, after all."
"No, I think I should leave it here," Alia said, shaking her head. "It has to accompany you, now that I’m moving out. If you miss , you can just look at it and think of instead."
Matteo’s mouth ran dry. Why did her words sound so final?
"Fine, but you’re moving back, the mont I settle things with Emline."
"Of course." Alia smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. "After you settle things with Emline."
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