Chapter 1

My husband, Adrian Pierce, was a titan in the medical research world. During a high-stakes clinical trial, he claimed his medication was swapped. He ended up tangled with a lab intern on the exam table for a night of fueled passion.

When he finally snapped out of it, he rushed home and locked himself in the bathroom. He stayed in the tub, refusing to eat or drink until I got back from work.

"Tanya, my meds were switched during the trial. I failed you, and I made a terrible mistake. But I paid her to keep quiet and fired her on the spot. She'll never show her face near us again."

I looked down at my stomach, thinking of my latest failed IVF attempt, and I sobbed. In my weakness, I chose to forgive him.

Two years later, Adrian was distracted by a phone call and slammed his car into a guardrail. The accident caused me to lose our baby and left me permanently unable to conceive. He buried his face in my neck, his voice breaking with grief.

"Sweetheart, I'm a monster! We don't need children anymore. We have each other, and that's enough, isn't it?"

I went to the hospital to bring him a home-cooked meal, but I stopped at the door of the neighboring ward. There he was, cradling the woman he swore he'd never see again, tenderly feeding her.

"Tanya, she's in too much pain to feed herself. It's early-stage stomach cancer, and she has no family left. I only did it because..."

Once again, I chose to believe his lies.

That was until a pair of twins suddenly appeared at our house. Serena Lowe was wearing the expensive maternity silk robe Adrian had once picked out for me. She knelt before me, clutching my hand and begging.

"It's all my fault. Please don't blame Adrian. If you want me gone, I'll take the children and leave right now."

Adrian grabbed my other hand, his voice thick with a desperate plea. "Tanya, you've always been the kindest soul. The kids are so young. How can she survive alone? You wouldn't be that heartless, would you?"

I looked at my hands, trapped between the two of them, and suddenly I started to laugh.

"Adrian, let's get a divorce. I hope you all get exactly what you deserve."

1

I pushed open the front door, and the groceries in my hand hit the floor with a thud. I stood there, frozen.

A musical birthday candle was playing a tinny tune on the dining table. The spread of food was more lavish than anything I had ever seen in this house.

My mother-in-law and my husband were each holding a twin. They were sitting around the table with Serena, looking like a perfect family of five. They were all leaning in, making a wish with smiles on their faces.

There wasn't even a chair set out for me, let alone a plate.

In that moment, I felt like a complete stranger breaking into someone else's home.

It took a long time for Adrian to look up and notice me. His fork faltered for a split second, but then he went right back to feeding a piece of steak to Serena.

Serena took it shyly, her eyes darting toward me with a glint of triumph.

Mrs. Pierce finally looked at me, her expression cold and hard. "Oh, you're back? Finally finished with your little job?"

I clenched my jaw and forced myself to walk toward the table. "Mom, I took the afternoon off. Happy birthday."

Adrian put down his utensils, his voice casual and airy. "Mom decided to start early on a whim. I didn't get a chance to tell you."

Didn't get a chance?

It would have taken five seconds to send a text. He hadn't even bothered to call.

I placed a gold bracelet on the table, trying to maintain some dignity. "I hope you have a wonderful year, Mom."

She didn't even look at the gift. She didn't open the box. She just went back to playing with the baby in her arms.

After dinner, Serena jumped up and grabbed Mrs. Pierce's arm. "Mom, let me help you clean up in the kitchen."

Then she turned to me with a fake smile. "Tanya, would you mind watching the babies for a second? It would be such a help."

Adrian followed them into the kitchen, carrying the other child. I could hear them laughing and playing from the other room.

A sharp pain twisted in my chest. I looked down at the infant in my arms, gently patting his back to hide my tears.

Suddenly, the baby started screaming hysterically. His tiny face turned a terrifying shade of bright red.

The three of them came rushing out of the kitchen. They found the baby breaking out in a massive, angry rash.

Serena lunged at me, shoving me hard onto the floor. She grabbed the baby, sobbing as if her heart was breaking.

"I know you hate me, but how could you use scented powder to hurt a defenseless child!"

Mrs. Pierce looked at me like I was a monster. "Tanya Vance! How dare you lay a hand on these children!"

I was stunned. "I'm not even wearing makeup today. I haven't used perfume in weeks."

Before I could say another word, a stinging slap landed across my face. My cheek burned, and I knew my skin would be stained with the marks of her fingers.

"You wicked woman!" Mrs. Pierce hissed. "You're so bitter about your own loss that you're taking it out on them!"

I held my face, tears streaming down uncontrollably.

"I didn't do it! I'm a professional makeup artist. I know exactly what causes allergic reactions. Why would I ever..."

I turned to Adrian, hoping for a shred of support. But he just stood there with a dark, heavy gaze, refusing to look me in the eye.

He took the baby from Serena, his voice low. "Stop screaming. We need to get him to the hospital now."

Before he walked out, he spared me one last look. It was filled with a chilling mixture of blame and disappointment.

The coldness I felt in that moment went straight to my bones.

I touched my throbbing cheek and suddenly caught a whiff of something on my sleeve. It was the distinct scent of a concentrated allergen powder.

Serena must have rubbed it on my clothes when she handed me the baby.

I realized then that this house hadn't been my home for a very long time.