The assistant hesitated, wanting to ask Selene something, but realized it wasn’t his place. He pressed his lips together and stayed silent.
Selene accepted the divorce papers with an indifferent expression, then turned and walked away.
When she returned to her hospital room, she saw Gemma and Liam Vaughn standing beside the bassinet. Liam was holding a tiny bundle in his arms, while Gemma cooed at the baby.
“My precious grandson is absolutely adorable,” Gemma gushed. “Look at that nose, that mouth—he’s the spitting image of his father.”
Liam gazed at the swaddled baby as if he couldn’t believe his luck. “I finally have a grandson,” he murmured, unable to hide his delight.
Selene drifted into the room like a ghost, hollowed out by ten months of pregnancy and a heart turned to ash. The birth of her children brought her no joy. Her body ached from the wound beneath her stomach, and she felt like a corpse, bleeding out by the hour.
When Gemma noticed her, the smile faded from her face. “Where have you been? Wandering around while Damien’s hungry!”
She added, “Father’s already chosen a name for the firstborn of the Vaughn family—Damien Vaughn. Such a strong name. He said it carries the hope of those returning home after a long journey, filled with meaning.”
She exchanged a proud glance with Liam. “Only a name this dignified could suit the heir of our family.”
Selene’s voice was barely above a whisper. “And my daughter?” she asked. “I gave birth to a girl as well.”
Liam replied, “Our little princess is named Daphne. Daphne Vaughn. It actually pairs nicely with Damien.”
Selene murmured to herself, “Daphne Vaughn… A little boat tossed at sea. Maybe I should choose another name.”
Gemma gave a cold, mocking laugh. “What, you think there’s something wrong with the Vaughn name? Let me tell you, in this family, no child takes their mother’s surname. Not now, not ever.”
She looked Selene up and down, her gaze sharp and full of disdain. “Just look at yourself. If it weren’t for… well, you were never even qualified to marry into the Vaughn family in the first place.”
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