Chapter 2

A honeyed voice floated through the air. It belonged to Olivia's sister-in-law, Catherine Winslow, who cradled her infant daughter while giving Olivia a knowing smile.

"Why don't you hold little Zuri for good luck?" Catherine suggested sweetly. "You and Liam have been married five years without any news. Perhaps this will help things along."

All eyes in the room turned toward Olivia, their gazes sharp enough to pierce skin. Olivia's palms grew damp with nervous perspiration.

Catherine continued in that saccharine tone, "No one faults you for your condition, dear. But being sweet isn't enough for a wife. How can you fulfill your duties if you can't give Liam an heir?"

Olivia's cheeks burned with humiliation as she reached for the baby. But before she could take her, another pair of hands intervened.

Margaret Winslow, Olivia's mother-in-law, snatched the infant away protectively. "This child is perfectly healthy. We can't risk her catching any bad luck or illness from your touch."

Olivia's heart plummeted. She desperately tried to explain through sign language that infertility wasn't the issue. The truth was—

The gathered relatives exchanged confused glances at Olivia's silent gestures. Margaret cut her off sharply. "Even if you could conceive, we wouldn't want you to. What if the child inherits your... condition? That would be unacceptable!"

Murmurs of agreement rippled through the crowd. "Absolutely," someone said. "We must consider the family legacy."

A chill ran down Olivia's spine. If she couldn't provide an heir, would that other woman—the one Liam truly loved—step in? The truth was, she wasn't infertile. She'd gotten pregnant once before. But Margaret, insisting the child might inherit Olivia's muteness and that Liam wouldn't want such a child, had forced her to terminate the pregnancy.

Olivia had been unable to explain that her muteness resulted from childhood illness, not genetics. She'd wept silently through the procedure, the pain lingering far longer than she'd anticipated.

Catherine sighed dramatically. "Margaret, I understand your concerns. But I've only managed one daughter with difficult complications that may prevent future pregnancies. If Olivia can't conceive, the Winslow line could end with our generation."

Turning to Liam with doe eyes, Catherine asked, "Liam darling, what do you think about all this?"

The room held its breath, dozens of eyes fixed on Liam, anticipating fireworks.

Everyone knew Liam had been forced into this marriage. A public rejection of his mute wife would make sensational headlines.

Instead, Liam's expression turned glacial. "You're talking too much," he said icily. "What exactly are you implying?"

Catherine's smile faltered, realizing she'd miscalculated.

Margaret jumped in to smooth things over. "Your sister-in-law only speaks out of concern for you. There's no need for such rudeness."

Catherine lowered her eyes demurely. "Richard is away on business, and I've been managing everything alone since the baby came. I only meant to show I care. Please forgive me if I overstepped."

Liam's skepticism was palpable. "If household duties overwhelm you, perhaps you should relinquish them," he said coldly.

He signaled to his assistant, Sebastian Montgomery. "Set the gifts aside. My personal life isn't open for discussion," he declared firmly.

In the stunned silence that followed, Liam guided Olivia from the party, leaving behind a room full of shocked expressions.

Olivia moved in a daze, barely processing events until they were seated in the car. She never expected Liam to defend her so publicly.

Liam's brow furrowed slightly. "Ignore them," he muttered, annoyance coloring his tone.

Olivia shook her head, indicating their words hadn't affected her.

This only seemed to irritate Liam further. "So in five years of marriage, have you truly never considered having children with me?"

Olivia had always been the perfect, compliant wife, her devotion to Liam unquestionable. But her apparent indifference to motherhood now made him doubt her feelings.

The truth was, Olivia had dreamed of bearing Liam's child since their wedding day. But with Margaret's interference, she knew it would remain just a dream. Was Liam testing her now?

Hesitating, Olivia finally signed that they should let the matter drop. She feared, as Margaret claimed, that her child might inherit her silence.

Liam's gaze turned piercing. "You're saying you don't want my child? Yet unless I'm mistaken, we were quite careless last night, and you haven't taken any precautions since."