Chapter 2

2

Killian strode into the room with Melody trailing behind him.

She was wearing a piece of haute couture, her makeup flawless. She looked like a literal princess.

I looked down at my own clothes―a plain cotton shirt and jeans. A wave of insecurity washed over me.

How could a woman like me ever hope to compete with a perfect princess for the heart of a prince? It was like trying to break a diamond with a pebble.

Leo saw Killian and ran toward him, shouting, "Daddy!" only to be ruthlessly pushed aside.

"I told you, I'm not your father. Stop calling me that."

He turned to Melody, his voice softening into a gentle explanation. "Don't mind them. I only took them in because I felt sorry for their pathetic situation."

I pulled Leo into my arms, trying to muffle his quiet whimpers.

The Matriarch frowned, her voice laced with displeasure. "This is a private family dinner, Killian. Why did you bring an outsider?"

Killian didn't seem to care what she thought. He let out a cold laugh. "Since you were so intent on interrupting my date with Melody, I figured I'd just bring her along."

He used to be so respectful toward his grandmother, but ever since I entered the picture, he had harbored a deep resentment for her. He only showed up for these dinners because of family protocol.

Sensing the tension, the aunt tried to smooth things over.

"Oh, look at you, Melody! You've grown into such a beautiful woman. Come, sit down and eat."

Melody was seated right next to me. Everyone at the table, except for the Matriarch, showered her with attention and praise.

Leo and I were treated like ghosts, tucked away in the corner, invisible to the world.

After making her rounds of polite toasts, Melody's eyes finally landed on me.

She looked me up and down with a smirk. "You know, you actually do look quite a bit like me."

Her tone was soft, but the underlying venom was unmistakable.

Killian chimed in immediately. "It's just a coincidence. She couldn't hold a candle to you."

To drive the point home, he pulled Melody closer and kissed her right in front of everyone.

The table erupted into cheers and congratulations. "It looks like a wedding is finally on the horizon! Killian, you're finally getting your dream girl."

The sound of my heart shattering was deafening. I could do nothing but squeeze Leo tighter.

Back at the villa that night, I lay in bed with Leo, unable to sleep.

"Mommy," he whispered. "Was that the first love Daddy was talking about? What does that even mean?"

"It means she's the person he's loved his whole life," I replied. "The person no one else can ever replace."

"Not even Mommy?"

I let out a bitter, tearful laugh. "No, baby. Mommy is just a cheap substitute."

Killian didn't come home that night.

The next morning, as I was making breakfast for Leo, the front door swung open.

I assumed it was Killian, so I didn't bother looking up.

But then I heard a strange boy's voice.

"Wow, that smells good! Mommy, I'm hungry. I want to eat that!"

Before I could react, a young boy barged into the kitchen, followed closely by Melody.

She leaned against the doorframe, her sweet persona from the night before replaced by a look of pure disgust.

"Did you hear him? My son is hungry. Hurry up and cook something for him."

I gripped the spatula tight, my blood boiling. "How did you get in here? Who gave you permission to enter my home?"

She laughed mockingly. "You're just a low-class stand-in. What right do you have to question me? I'm the real woman here. You just crawled into his bed while I was away. Killian must have been truly desperate to touch something like you."