Chapter 1
A couple weeks before our kid’s birthday, I reminded my husband to prepare a gift early.
He responded impatiently, “I already had my assistant pick something out.“[]
I swallowed the words urging him to choose a gift himself.[]
But then I accidentally caught sight of the Amazon shopping notifications on his phone.
He had carefully selected a Barbie doll and a music box, all for the daughter of his first love, Scarlett.
In that moment, I realized that from the day Scarlett returned to US, the scales in his heart had already tipped.]]
The peaceful five–year marriage that seemed like a beautiful illusion was about to shatter.
On River’s fifth birthday, my husband Zane was nowhere to be found.[]
I called his phone repeatedly with no answer until finally, on my last attempt, a little girl’s sweet voice answered, “Hello?“]]
I pressed my lips together. “Is Zane there?“]
The little girl responded lazily in French, “You want to talk to my daddy?“[]
From somewhere in the background, I heard the familiar voice of my husband.[]
“Vivienne, what is it?“]]
My heart froze.
My son, who was standing beside me, heard his father’s voice and immediately shouted, “That’s Dad! Give the phone to my dad!“]
“Your dad?” the little girl lowered her voice, her English slightly broken. “But Daddy Zane is taking care of my mommy. He’s too busy for you.”
“Give him the phone!” My son yelled desperately.[]
There was a brief silence, then the girl switched to French, her voice suddenly whiny, “Daddy Zane, this boy on the phone is being mean to me!“]]
“If it’s nothing important, just hang up,” Zane replied, his voice noticeably irritated.[]
The next second, the call disconnected, leaving only the dial tone buzzing in my ear.[]
River looked confused and after a moment whispered, “Mom, is Dad mad at me?“[]
I swallowed the lump in my throat and comforted him.
“No, River, honey. Your dad’s probably just busy. Let me help you light your birthday candles, okay?“]
River nodded understandingly.
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The candles cast a warm glow on my little boy’s chubby face as I lit them.[]
The silver carousel music box beside the cake began to spin, playing the birthday song with its delicate chimes.]
After River blew out his candles, he clumsily cut the first slice of cake and handed it to me.
“Don’t be sad, Mom. River and Mom having a birthday together is fun too.”
I touched my face instinctively, only then realizing a tear had escaped.[]
I forced a smile. “Yes, sweetheart. It is.“]
After my son fell asleep, I cleaned the dining room and gathered all the presents.
For two weeks, gifts had been arriving, and River had excitedly announced, “I’m going to open these with Dad on my birthday!“]
But today…
My eyes drifted to the clock as the hour hand moved past midnight.[]
At that exact moment, my phone lit up with a news notification:[]
[International Film Star Suspected of Secret Pregnancy Years Ago – Child Bears Striking Resemblance to Former Flame?]]]
I clicked on it instinctively.[]
In the darkness of night, the photo showed a stunning woman smiling at a nine–tier cake, holding the hand of a beautifully dressed little girl, surrounded by flowers and balloons.[]
In the bottom right corner of the photo was a glimpse of a suit–clad arm.
Though the man wasn’t fully in the frame, I recognized the suit immediately as Zane’s.[]
I sat motionless in the living room.
1.0
After what seemed like hours, I heard movement at the entrance.]
A dark figure walked in, pausing when he saw me. e.
“Why are you sitting in the dark?“]
Moonlight spilled across the edge of my clothes.]
Zane turned on the light, his expression puzzled.[]
“Aurora?”
Huh. His face really did share some features with the little girl in that photo.[]
I pushed down the bitterness rising in my throat and pretended to be calm.]
“River waited for you for a long time today.“[]
“I’m sorry,” Zane rubbed his temple. “But I sent you a message, and I had my assistant deliver the gifts.“[]
3.7
The “message” Zane referred to was just a single text at 5 PM: “Working late. Won’t be home.“]]
I stood
up
and looked him straight in the eyes. “What meeting could possibly be more important than your son’s birthday? Or were you with someone more important to you?”
Following my gaze, Zane saw my phone on the couch–the screen still showing the red–haired beauty’s bright smile–so ‘eye–catching‘.
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