Chapter 2

Logan actually thought I'd go to him for help? He thought I'd beg someone like him—a man who ditched his wife and daughter for a mistress? A man who got our daughter killed?

Not a chance.

Logan scowled and spat, "You couldn't even give me a son. My mother said a few words, and you ran off, sulking all these years? Letting the Rice family's bloodline roam the streets—if you're not ashamed, I damn sure am."

I let out a sharp, icy laugh. So that was it—he thought my son was Lily.

But Lily had died long ago, in a hospital that was supposed to save lives.

She was barely a hundred days old when her own father drained her of blood. I'd been just one wall away, forced by Logan to wait for my poor Lily's death.

What right did he have to speak her name?

Even the sight of him felt like bad luck. Swallowing the fire in my chest, I turned to leave.

"I don't need you telling me what to do. He's not even your—"

Joann walked up, holding her daughter's hand, and urged the little girl forward.

"Gracie, say thank you to your half-sister. When you were sick, she gave you her blood."

My eyes burned. Lily's life had been reduced to something this mistress could toss out like a casual joke.

I glared at Logan, but he avoided my gaze, coughing once. "Gracie and Lily are half-sisters. They should at least meet."

Then he scooped Gracie into his arms and brushed a loose strand of hair from her forehead with such tenderness it made my stomach turn.

"Go on, Gracie, say hello to your half-sister. When she comes home, teach her a girl's manners. Show her what kind of dresses a girl should wear. Don't let her look like some beggar and embarrass our family."

When he turned back to me, his voice turned razor-sharp. "Can't even bother to greet me? Look what you've taught Lily. No damn manners at all."

Joann slipped her arm through his and kissed his cheek.

"Don't be mad, Logan. We all know where Bella comes from. No one taught her any better. Just let it go."

My nose stung. Something inside me snapped.

"I didn't know a woman who seduces another woman's husband could lecture anyone about manners."

Her eyes reddened, and her voice trembled with practiced sorrow.

"I'm sorry, Bella. I know you hate that Logan chose me back then. But could he really just watch his own child die?

"And besides, Gracie was supposed to be born first. If you're that angry, take it out on me. But don't brand Logan as a cheater. He doesn't deserve that."

Logan raised his hand as if to strike me, but when he saw the stubborn set of my jaw, he stopped. "Why do you have to bully Joann? I already feel guilty enough for not marrying her back then."

"Oh? And did you marry me? That marriage certificate… wasn't it fake?"

The memory tightened my throat, but with my son beside me, I forced back the tears.

Back then, I'd gone abroad to steady myself, but in a moment of collapse, I called Logan. What I heard was their breathless moans, their gasps, and their passion.

When it was over, I cried into the phone. "Logan, why are you doing this to me?"

His voice was cold. "Who the hell do you think you are, to question me?"

Feeling that same despair now, I let out a bitter laugh. "I found out our marriage certificate was fake. Logan, do you know how hopeless I felt when I found out?"

He started to explain, but Joann cut in, "You were going to divorce anyway. This just saved you the trouble. Logan simply didn't love you. He didn't do anything wrong."

She knew me well. She knew how to choose words that pierced straight through, while sounding like kindness.