I whipped around, my voice rising before I could stop it.
"On what grounds?"
I had stayed up countless nights for that room. Visited store after store. Arranged every detail with my own hands. Every inch of it held the hope I'd carried for my child.
June immediately lowered her head.
"If Serena doesn't want to, it's fine. We can take the guest room."
Patrick's expression hardened. His voice turned to ice.
"No. Your health is fragile, and the baby is too young. The Harding heir is not sleeping in a guest room."
The housekeeper headed upstairs at once. I ran after her.
I stood there and watched as everything I had prepared for my baby was carried out, piece by piece.
The pain went so deep it turned numb.
I spent the entire night packing up the baby's things.
By the time dawn broke through the windows, I was so exhausted I finally fell asleep.
When I woke again it was already the next day. I went downstairs to find something to eat.
"Serena."
Patrick walked toward me. He stared at my retreating figure for a long moment, then reached out to touch my hair. I stepped away before his fingers made contact.
His hand froze in midair.
"That room was always meant for a child. You'll be the baby's mother. We'll always be together. No one could ever replace you."
I let out a quiet laugh. "Fine."
Patrick blinked. He'd been trying to make amends for two days straight, yet I remained just as cold.
Impatience crept into his voice. "Think it over carefully!"
The doorbell rang. It was my brother, Carl Fox.
He walked in frowning and headed straight for Patrick.
"I told you not to bring June and the baby here."
Then his gaze shifted to me, sharp and wary.
"You haven't been bullying June and the baby, have you?"
Before I could say a word, Patrick shook his head firmly.
"As long as I'm here, June and the baby won't be hurt in the slightest."
Hearing the commotion, June came out and threw herself into Carl's arms.
His expression softened instantly.
"If anyone's giving you a hard time, just say the word. Mom, Dad, and I will always have your back."
June shook her head, the picture of wounded innocence.
"It's okay. Serena doesn't really like me. I'm used to it."
I watched the three of them and felt something between disbelief and bitter amusement.
So my biological parents and my brother had all known that June was carrying Patrick's child.
Every single one of them knew. I was the only fool kept in the dark.