Chapter 2

I walked over to the tea service already laid out on the mahogany table, a habit Ethan Sr. and I shared in the afternoons.

I poured myself a cup of Earl Grey, the familiar scent calming.

"Why would I do that, Ethan?" I asked, taking a slow sip.

He scoffed, a harsh, grating sound. "Because she's carrying my child, the future head of this studio! My son. Or daughter. The point is, it's a Vance."

Chloe preened, stroking her stomach. "He's right, Sarah. This baby changes everything."

Just then, the pitter-patter of small feet echoed from the hallway, followed by a cheerful shout.

"Mommy! Mommy, can we go to the park? You promised!"

A small boy, no more than two and a half, with a shock of dark hair and Ethan Sr.'s distinct blue eyes, ran into the room, straight towards me.

Leo. My son.

Ethan Jr. stared, his jaw slack, his arrogant posture deflating.

Color drained from his face. "Sarah... who is this kid?"

Chloe looked equally stunned, her perfectly painted lips parted in surprise.

I set my teacup down and smiled, a genuine, warm smile that reached my eyes.

I scooped Leo into my arms, kissing his soft hair. "This," I said, my voice clear and steady, "is your half-brother, Leo Vance."

Ethan Jr. recoiled as if struck. "Half-brother? What are you talking about? My father only has me! This... this imposter!"

His face contorted with rage. "You cheated on me, Sarah, didn't you? While we were engaged! And now you're trying to pass off some random kid as his? As a Vance?"

Chloe, recovering quickly, jumped to his defense, her voice shrill.

"Sarah, how could you? Betraying Ethan Jr. like that, and now trying to slander Mr. Vance Sr.'s good name! It's disgusting!"

I held Leo a little tighter, shielding him from their venom.

"Leo is indeed my son," I clarified, looking directly at Ethan Jr. "My son with Ethan Sr. The day you went on your 'spiritual retreat' to 'find yourself' with Chloe, I found a real husband. Your father."

The silence in the room was thick, heavy.

Ethan Jr.' s eyes darted between me, Leo, and the opulent surroundings that now clearly belonged to me, not as a charity case, but as the lady of the house.

The realization, slow and horrifying for him, began to dawn.