Chapter 1 — Open House Disaster

Renee's POV

"Ma'am, I've already told you that Julian and his mother are already present and accounted for." The teacher eyed me suspiciously. "Your name isn't even listed as an emergency contact—"

"You are clearly mistaken!" I argued back. "I'M Renee Bennett! Maybe you should check your files and make sure they weren't forged with the wrong information!"

Today was Julian's open house for primary school, and he was set to go into the second grade. Last night, I stayed up all night making a clay model of him dressed as a king; it was based on one of his drawings that he hung proudly on the kitchen fridge.

But because I stayed up all night, it meant I accidentally overslept. I received a text message from my husband, Gregory, telling me not to worry about coming to Julian's open house, but what kind of mother would I be if I missed this?

And now that I was here, I was being told that Julian's mother was already here with him?

Were these people insane?

I was here when they wanted someone to fill out the initial rounds of paperwork! How could the teacher not recognize me?

"Here, look for yourself." The teacher let out a 'hmph' before handing me the forms. "It was signed and dated the night we had the initial meeting. And as you can see, it says—"

"Camille Richards?!" I was ready to rip up the form in my hands. "Why the hell is she listed as Julian's mother?!"

As I stood at the classroom's entrance, I looked up and saw my precious Julian standing next to the clay model that was being showcased in the middle of the room. He was showered with so much praise and compliments that his smile was wide and full of light as he looked up at the woman next to him.

That was when I saw her.

Camille. Looking down lovingly at Julian like he was hers; like she was the one who carried him for nine months, and took care of him for the past seven years!

What kind of sick joke was this?!

Camille was an old classmate of Gregory's from what I could remember. After college, the two separated and she went abroad to build her own career. She returned some time after the new year, and ever since then she'd quickly integrated herself into our family.

Everyone loved her. And I quickly faded into obscurity.

"Hey, who's that?" I heard a small voice being directed towards me.

My eyes perked up and that's when I saw a little boy looking at me as he stood next to Julian.

When Julian and I locked eyes, I gave him a heartfelt smile.

But all I got in return was an eye roll and a look of disgust. "That's just my fat, useless nanny. Don't mind her."

"J-Julian!" I exhaled and was stunned beyond belief. "What did you just call me? Young man I—"

"But I heard her say she was your mommy?" The kid prodded.

"Ew, NO!" Julian gagged and ran to hug Camille's legs. "This is my real mommy right here!"

Camille placed her hand lovingly on Julian's shoulder and when she spotted me, her red lips twisted into a smirk. "Be nice, Julian. Mommy and daddy are always so busy, and the nanny just wanted to make sure you wouldn't be alone and upset on your special day."

"But I don't care! I don't want her here!" Julian stomped his feet in protest. "Make her go away!"

It felt like a hole had just been punched into my chest, and my still-beating heart was being ripped from the cavity.

Anger surged as I fought the impulse to go in there and use Camille as a mop against the school's flooring! What an ugly, irritating smirk!

Who the hell did she think she was playing house with MY family? She didn't know the kind of sacrifice it took to support and raise one!

Just as I was about to speak up, my husband, Gregory, showed up.

I could only offer him a half-smile after being dealt a huge blow from my own son. "G-Gregory, honey. I'm so glad y-you're here." I stood straight. "Would you please be so kind as to confirm my identity to the teacher AND Julian?"

"Renee? What are you doing here?" Gregory raised his eyebrows and ignored my request. "I thought I told you not to worry about coming here."

"I wouldn't miss this for anything in the world. What kind of mother—"

"Nanny." Gregory corrected as his jaws flexed. "A nanny doesn't have to worry about attending life events like this when both parents are here."

"Oh, so you're in on this too, huh?" I tried to keep my composure. "What kind of husband prioritizes another woman over his own WIFE—"

Gregory snatched my hand—hard—and dragged me down the hallway and towards a stairwell. He waited until it closed behind him before he shoved me against the wall. "Let's make one thing clear, Renee: you're an embarrassment to the Bennett name. Julian and I don't want you making a fool out of us in public!"

"Who do you think you are talking to me like that?! What have I ever done to deserve—"

"Shut up!" He growled. "You're a boring housewife who can't even take care of herself! I mean, look at you! You've let yourself go! You might as well find a job at the farm cleaning out shit from the pig pen. At least then, you'll look like you belong!"

Tears welled at the base of my eyes as the hole in my chest threatened to swallow me whole. "After all I've sacrificed for this family, this—"

"Look at Camille!" He interrupted. "Beautiful, elegant, graceful. She's even made an illustrious career out of being one of the world's most distinguished violinists. THAT is who Julian needs as a role model! SHE is who deserves to show herself out in public with us."

"Not…" His lips curled in disgust. "...you. Not some fat, dull, uninspiring slob. You should be grateful to even be in our presence!"

After all the years of taking care of him, the house, and a baby by myself while he built his empire… Instead of love, I was met with scorn, ridicule, and disapproval. All because I was overweight?

Was I truly deserving of this treatment? After all, I was fortunate enough to stay in a lavish mansion and merely take care of our child and household duties. Not many other women had that luxury.

I couldn't even find the strength to argue anymore as I walked out of the stairwell. Heartache and disappointment sank my shoulders as I walked by the classroom. Camille had Julian in her arms; his smile was so bright and full of love. He had never smiled at me like that.

I looked longingly at the clay model I had stayed up all night making. Beside it, a small card in Julian's handwriting caught my eye.

DADDY + JULIAN + CAMILLE = FAMILY 4EVER!!