Chapter 5 Mistress

Belle's POV: My social circle is very simple, and because of my business, I always treat everyone with a friendly smile. I don't have enemies. Neither do my sister and brother-in-law. Besides, the woman's clothes were expensive—she belonged to a social class I could never even come close to. So why was she here, harassing me? I struggled to stand, but a chilling sight froze me in my tracks. My precious little daughter, the child I adore more than anything, was being held by that woman like a delicate, helpless kitten. Moona's eyes were filled with tears, and I could see how terrified she was. "She looks exactly like him," the woman said, staring at my daughter with a terrifying expression. Then she turned her gaze on me, her eyes full of disdain. "Where did you find this little thing?" "She's my daughter! I gave birth to her!" I shouted. "Let her go, now!" Hunched over in pain, I staggered, trying to make my way up the stairs. But my body hurt so badly that after just a few steps, my vision started to blur. Then I heard Moona's little voice, trembling with tears. "You're a bad person! Don't hurt my mommy!" Tears sprang to my eyes as I looked at my daughter. Fear was surrounding her, but still, she waved her tiny fists and kicked her chubby legs, trying to fight off the woman. She was so small, she'd only just learned to walk, yet here she was, doing everything she could to protect me. My precious child, my little angel ... "Don't be afraid. Mommy's here. "Mommy will save you. "Just hold on. Stay right there. Mommy's coming ... " Bracing myself with my hands, I tried to push myself up again. After a few failed attempts, I finally managed to stand. But then I saw a look of irritation cross the woman's face, and a deep sense of dread rose within me. "What are you planning to do?" I shouted. "That's the question I should be asking you." The woman looked me up and down, still holding my daughter like she was an object to be inspected. Her face twisted with contempt. "You're using this child to get close to him, aren't you? "You know he's desperate to have a child, don't you? "But do you know how many years I've waited for him, only for you to try to take him with this pathetic scheme?" Her expression grew increasingly unhinged. I looked at her nervously, watching her grip on Moona, and I tried to reason with her. "Please calm down. I swear, I have no idea what you're talking about. I don't even know who this man is you're referring to. Believe me, I'm not trying to take anyone away. All I want is to raise my children in peace!" "Really?" She eyed me suspiciously. "I swear," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. I crept up the stairs, one slow, deliberate step at a time. This woman was clearly unstable. Maybe she thought I was her husband's mistress, and he'd bought pastries here, leading her to a misunderstanding. But none of that mattered. All I wanted was for my daughter to be safe. Her expression gradually softened, and just as I thought I'd managed to calm her down, she suddenly extended her arm, holding my daughter out over the empty air above the first floor. "No, please, don't ... " I begged, not even daring to raise my voice. Right now, all it would take was a single slip of her fingers, and my daughter would fall to the ground below. She was so small ... she wouldn't survive. Then, I saw the woman smile—a smile like a demon's. Ignoring my desperate pleas, she slowly loosened her grip on Moona's tiny body. "You have no idea what kind of trouble you've brought upon yourself."