Chapter 1

1

The day I confirmed my daughter's biological mother was actually my husband's first love, I left the divorce papers and walked out.

Before I left, I commented on the family photo he posted on Instagram.

"Let's get a divorce. I'm making room for the three of you."

A minute later, my husband called. "Lauren, even if Cindy isn't your daughter, can't you just keep raising her? How can you be so heartless!"

I hung up with a cold laugh. Your family's drama has absolutely nothing to do with me.

But she was the one who suddenly got desperate.

......

The day I received the DNA test results was our eighth wedding anniversary.

I wiped my face, still terrified to open the folder.

Then, my husband, Xander Shaw, sent me a text.

"Lauren, I'm not coming home tonight. I'm out of cash, transfer some to my account."

That text snapped me back to reality.

I slowly opened the report. The results showed that the five-year-old daughter I had raised was actually the child of Xander's ex, Elena Rossi.

My own baby had died on that rainy night years ago.

My child was born extremely weak and stayed in the NICU. The doctors told us to prepare for the worst.

I was already bracing myself for the loss, but then Xander told me our baby was out of danger.

I never knew that the healthy, energetic infant he brought home wasn't mine.

He had swapped my dead child for his mistress's baby.

I closed my eyes.

I realized that when you reach a certain level of disappointment, you become incredibly calm.

Everything felt like it had been staged for a long time, but my head still throbbed with pain.

If I hadn't accidentally walked in on Xander and Elena's affair, I would still be in the dark, raising their child.

My phone buzzed again.

It was Xander.

"Did you see my message? Send the money now."

I chuckled.

He only thought of me when he ran out of money to spend on Elena. Did he think I had "Sucker" tattooed on my forehead?

I ignored him, grabbed my packed suitcase, and left the divorce papers on the kitchen island.

Before walking out the door, I checked Xander's social media.

Sure enough, he had posted a photo of him, Elena, and Cindy at the amusement park.

Xander was bold, flaunting them before we were even divorced. I must have been a total pushover all these years to give him that kind of confidence.

Thinking of this, I left a comment right under the photo.

"Let's get a divorce. I'm making room for the three of you."

"Now you can see each other in the light. A daughter is better off with her real parents anyway."

A minute later, Xander called to interrogate me.

"Lauren, what the hell is that comment supposed to mean? Do you have any idea what people will say about me?"

I was speechless.

He did something so disgusting, yet now he was worried about gossip.

I couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Xander, what part of that was wrong? Don't you know exactly whose child Cindy is?"

"Let's just end this. I left the papers at the house. Just sign them."

Xander choked on his words, sounding completely blindsided.

"You're actually divorcing me?"

"Yes."

"Lauren, where is your heart? Cindy is your baby! Who's been filling your head with lies? How can you humiliate me like this!"

In eight years of marriage, I never realized his skin was this thick. His ability to lie with a straight face was truly impressive.

My voice went cold.

"Xander, I had a DNA test done for Cindy and Elena."

The line went silent for a moment. Then, his tone shifted to pure annoyance.

"Lauren, even if Cindy isn't your daughter, can't you just keep raising her? How can you be so heartless!"

His words hit me like a physical blow.

Even though I knew about the affair, hearing him admit it so casually still hurt.

Eight years. What did Xander think I was?

I used to imagine how he'd react when I caught him.

I thought he would beg for forgiveness or admit he was wrong.

I never expected him to be so entitled about making me a cuckold.

My heart was bleeding.

The last bit of hope I had for Xander vanished completely.

We are adults; there is no point in denying the truth.

I laughed coldly and hung up. Your family's business has nothing to do with me.

I originally thought about a peaceful split, but now I realize that would be an insult to myself.

I am going to make him pay for every single thing he did to me.