Dumping The Ice King His Mini-Tyrant novel Chapter 454

“Wishful thinking! You really believe you can just walk into the Vaughn family whenever you please and leave whenever you want?”

Gemma’s face contorted with anger. Liam, clearly confused, asked, “Selene, you just gave birth. Why on earth would you suddenly want to divorce Harrison now?”

A strange, shifting light seemed to flicker across their faces as Selene stared at the two of them—always so adept at playing good cop and bad cop.

“Where was Harrison when I was giving birth?” Selene’s voice was cold. “I sent him countless messages, called him over and over, and got nothing. Not a single reply.”

“Why would you call him that much?” Gemma snapped, her scolding voice sharp. “The Vaughns have given you everything—good food, a private hospital room under Vaughn Medical, the best care money can buy. Do you even realize how much this VIP suite costs per day? With the nurses looking after you, you’re racking up ten grand a day!”

Gemma jabbed a finger toward the window. “Look at the view. The location. Selene, what more could you possibly want?”

Liam put on his peacemaker mask. “Selene, you just had a baby. Your emotions are all over the place. Don’t rush into divorce. I’ll arrange for a therapist—someone who can help you through postpartum recovery.”

Gemma glanced coldly at the divorce papers scattered across the floor. “Divorce, right after giving birth? You’re just trying to use this as leverage against the Vaughn family, aren’t you?”

Gemma delivered a slap with her words; Liam, meanwhile, offered a carrot:

“Selene, you’ve given birth to Harrison’s child. That makes you a great asset to the family. Harrison is out there running the business day and night. You should do your part as his wife, support him, and not distract him with your needs. If there’s anything you want, just let us know.”

He placed a black credit card on the nightstand. “You’ve been through a lot. Take this—use it for anything you need.”

Gemma let out a mocking laugh, as if Selene’s real goal had been to exchange divorce papers for a credit card—and now, she’d gotten exactly what she wanted.

“She’s not in a stable state of mind. We should take Damien with us for now,” Gemma suggested to Liam. “Once the doctors have evaluated her mental health, we can decide whether she’s fit to raise the Vaughn heir.”

Liam’s eyes grew cold. He had an open, approachable face—a gentle exterior that reminded people of a kindly priest. Most who met him thought he looked nothing like Harrison. But Selene knew better. Harrison had inherited Liam’s eyes and brow, and when Liam’s warmth faded, he was all steel and thunder beneath the smile.

Leo didn’t say a word. He just sighed softly—his silence a quiet agreement with Gemma’s suggestion.

Selene remained rooted to the spot, her eyes glassy and dark, like bottomless wells that let in no light.

Gemma scooped up the newborn boy and walked out of the room without sparing Selene a single glance.

As she reached the door, Gemma complained to Liam, “She’s nothing but trouble. Gives birth and thinks she can manipulate us. And you just hand her a credit card—aren’t you afraid she’ll get greedy?”

Gemma’s voice faded down the hall. Whatever Liam replied, Selene couldn’t hear it anymore.

She pulled out her phone—one last desperate attempt to call Harrison.

When the word “Husband” flashed on the screen, her vision blurred with tears.

She pressed the call button. The phone rang and rang, the silence growing heavier as darkness closed in.

Selene’s heart clenched. “Why is her voice so raspy?”

“When you fainted, the baby cried for a long time,” the doctor said gently.

“Let me hold her, please.” Even knowing her time with her child was limited, Selene could not fight the primal need to hold her baby.

The doctor placed the swaddled infant in her arms. Selene looked down at the wrinkled, delicate little face.

In that instant, every dam inside her broke.

She knew that once she held her own child, she would never be able to let go.

But the Vaughns would never let her walk away with both babies.

*

That afternoon, Selene pushed open the door to the intensive care unit. Leo’s assistant was inside, still wearing yesterday’s clothes, unshaven and haggard after a sleepless night.

He barely managed a nod when Selene entered.

She walked quietly to the bedside.