Forged My Marriage, Stole My Baby—Now I’m the Judge You Kneel To - Chapter 26: Chapter 26

When Rowena woke up, her phone screen was lit up.
Gina had sent another message.
A photo.
In the picture, Shane was holding the baby, his face absolutely glowing with joy. He was looking down at the kid in his arms while Gina leaned against his shoulder, smiling like she'd won the lottery.
*Got family portraits done today. Shane says we're gonna make this an annual thing.*
Rowena's finger hovered over the screen, but she didn't reply. She just swiped the notification away.
She opened Instagram and saw that Gina had posted a bunch of stories.
Nine photos in a grid.
First one: Shane had his arm around Gina's waist at some fancy auction house, with a display of sparkly jewelry spread out in front of them.
Second: Gina taking a selfie outside the Vellmore Corporation building, showing off a new diamond necklace.
Third: Shane holding the baby in his corner office while a bunch of executives in suits crowded around, all grins and baby talk, like they were meeting the damn heir.
The last one made her stomach drop—a partial shot of some legal document with Shane's signature clearly visible, and the words *Max Vellmore (son of Shane Vellmore) inherits 10% of Vellmore Corporation shares*.
Rowena stared at the screen, her expression going completely blank, like dead water.
The day she got discharged, nobody came to pick her up.
Rowena called an Uber back to what used to be home.
The second she opened the front door, she went frozen.
The whole place was completely different.
The oil painting she'd given Shane was gone, replaced with some weird abstract thing; the cream sofa she'd picked out was swapped for dark gray leather; the dining table, decorations, even the damn wallpaper had been changed to this cold, modern bullshit.
The air reeked of unfamiliar perfume mixed with that sweet baby formula smell.
Rowena stood in the foyer feeling like she'd walked into someone else's house.
She didn't say a word, just headed straight upstairs.
When she pushed open her bedroom door, Rowena let out a tiny breath of relief.
At least this room was still hers.
She walked to the window to get some air, but then she saw it—the bellflower garden she'd planted with her own hands was completely gone.
In its place was this brand-new glass sunroom.
Inside, Shane and Gina were doing tummy time with the baby.
Gina was laughing all soft and sweet while Shane carefully supported the infant, his eyes showing this tenderness Rowena had never fucking seen before.
Shane must have felt her watching because he suddenly looked up, locking eyes with Rowena through the window.
Their gazes met, and he clearly froze for a second, then his brow furrowed, like he'd just remembered she was getting out today.
Gina followed his stare and spotted Rowena. Something nasty flashed in her eyes before she suddenly stumbled sideways, pretending to twist her ankle as she fell toward Shane.
Shane automatically caught her, and when he looked back up, Rowena's window was slammed shut.
A few minutes later, someone knocked on her door.
Rowena opened it to find Shane standing there, looking all conflicted.
"Look, I know this whole thing's been shitty for you." His tone was softer now. "Once the kid's older, I'll make it right."
Rowena stared at him and almost laughed out loud.
Make it right? How the hell was he gonna do that?
But she just nodded without saying anything.
Shane seemed like he wanted to patch things up and reached out for this awkward half-hug. Rowena's whole body went rigid, and she quickly stepped back. "I'm exhausted. Need to crash."
Shane's face tightened, but he didn't push it. He turned and walked away.
The second he was gone, Rowena's phone buzzed.
Message from Gina: *Hey Rowena, the baby wants to see you.*
Then another: *Come downstairs and hold him. He's such a sweetie.*
Rowena ignored it, but ten minutes later, there was knocking again.
Gina stood there with the baby, all sunshine and smiles. "Rowena, he's been super fussy today. I think he wants Auntie Rowena to hold him!"
Before Rowena could say no, Gina basically shoved the baby into her arms.
The soft, warm little body landed against her chest, and Rowena went completely stiff. She'd never held a baby in her life, her arms awkwardly supporting him, scared as hell of dropping him.
But less than thirty seconds later, the baby suddenly started screaming bloody murder, his little face turning bright red.
Gina immediately grabbed him back. "What the hell—why is he crying the second you touch him? Is he hurt?" As she spoke, her face went white, and she pulled several needles out of the baby's blanket.
She whipped her head up to stare at Rowena, her eyes wide with fake horror. "Rowena! How could you do something so fucked up?! Even if you hate me, you can't hurt an innocent baby!"