---- Simon hadn't noticed me. With his back facing me, he spoke to the matriarch, "When Ryan first pursued Carly, he swore he'd give her happiness. But now that she's pregnant, she's being tormented by his mistress. How could he allow this?" His voice was cold as he pulled Carly closer. "If that's the way he treats Carly, I'll risk everything the Barkers have to take her away!" I froze completely. The servants all wisely lowered their heads, but a few braver ones glanced at me with mocking smiles. Though I'd expected something like this, seeing it with my own eyes still sent a sharp sting through my heart. Natalie, furious at Simon, noticed me and raised her voice. "You're so protective of Ryan's wife; have you forgotten you have a family, too? ---- "T heard it took a lot of effort for you to marry Irene. Aren't you supposed to be the perfect couple everyone envies? Don't you have any feelings for her?" I stood rooted to the spot, eyes fixed hard on Simon's back. He still wasn't aware of my presence. Instead, he held Carly tighter and said, ''Hah, have you forgotten? You said that if Ryan broke off the engagement, the Medinas wouldn't let Carly into the company. So, to clear the way for Carly, I pretended to care for Irene. "That was the only reason I married her!" He spoke freely, but when he turned and saw me standing there, his face drained of color. "Trene..." Simon's lips trembled, and he couldn't find the words to speak.