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The door was slightly ajar.

Through the narrow opening, Lovett could see her husband lying comfortably on the bed.

“I hope this is enough assurance that you’re the one my heart belongs to—not that woman,” Kennedy said coldly. “Once she gets back, I know she’ll try to act righteous by confessing that she cheated. I’ll shove the divorce papers in her face and send her packing immediately. That ugly whore.”

“Hmn.” A woman chuckled softly. “Now I truly believe you married her for the money.”

Lovett had never been so stunned in her entire twenty-four years of living.

Her husband was on a video call.

With another woman.

Although Kennedy’s broad back partially blocked the screen of the iPad he held, Lovett didn’t need to see the woman’s face.

She knew that voice.

“Hmn. It’s your grandfather’s fault,” Kennedy sighed irritably. “If only he’d been a little nicer to you too.”

“I know, right?” the woman replied bitterly. “He’s not my grandfather anyway. He’s always treated me unfairly compared to my sister. And Lovett too—she never treated me like a sister. Tsk.”

A tear slid down Lovett’s cheek instantly.

Never treated her like a sister?

How could she say that?

Ever since Ashley came into her life, Lovett had done nothing but give. She made sure Ashley was comfortable, always gave up her toys, her clothes—everything. Even when it inconvenienced her, she endured it without complaint.

The woman speaking was none other than her stepsister.

Ashley Larson.

After Lovett’s mother passed away, Dianne and her daughter had moved into the Hudson family home. From that day onward, Lovett had tried—desperately—to be kind, to be accepting.

And this was the result.

Kennedy’s voice softened. “We don’t need her anymore. I have more than enough money now that Power Group is firmly in my grasp. I’ll take care of you… and my angel.”

“You and Amy,” Ashley whined playfully. “She looks exactly like you. That’s not fair!”

Kennedy laughed heartily. “That’s how it should be. She’s my daughter, after all.”

Lovett’s breath hitched violently.

Her legs trembled, nearly giving way beneath her.

This had to be a nightmare.

A cruel, heart-wrenching nightmare.

She pinched her wrist hard—so hard her skin bruised—but the pain only confirmed the truth.

This wasn’t a dream.

This was reality.

Amy… her niece…

Was her husband’s daughter.

How?

“I can’t wait to hold both of you in my arms,” Kennedy continued warmly. “My damsels.”

“Same here,” Ashley replied softly, then paused. “But… are you sure my sister isn’t pregnant with your child? I don’t want complications later.”

“Trust me,” Kennedy said without hesitation. “She isn’t. I never touched her—not even once. She disgusts me.”

Ashley’s face lit up with joy on the screen.

Lovett’s heart shattered.

He had lied.

They had shared a bed during their marriage—rarely, yes—but it had happened. Only now did she understand why he always insisted on protection. Why he’d always made excuses.

‘The money we have now is yours,’ he would say whenever she complained.

‘I want to be a man first—have my own wealth before raising children.’

She had believed him.

She had worked tirelessly to transfer the CEO position of Power Group into his hands, sacrificing her own future because she trusted him.

What a fool she had been.

Unable to endure the pain any longer, Lovett pushed the door open and stepped into the room.

Kennedy stiffened.

“Lo—Lovett?” He sprang off the bed. “I was looking for you—”

“How could you do this to me?” Lovett whispered hoarsely.

Her voice trembled as tears streamed freely. “You set me up with a gigolo. You married me for my grandfather’s money. You’re in love with my sister. Amy is your daughter… So you’ve been cheating on me—with Ashley?”

“It’s not what you think,” Kennedy said quickly, reaching for her hand.

Lovett flinched away.

“I disgust you?” she whispered brokenly. “Really?”

Kennedy frowned. “How long were you standing there?”

She let out a hollow laugh. “Is that what matters right now? You scumbag.”

His jaw clenched. “Enough. Yes, I don’t love you. I never did. It’s your sister I love. She was the one I wanted—but you threw yourself at me. You forced me!”

Lovett froze.

“You were pitiful,” he continued cruelly. “You were the one who proposed. I couldn’t turn you down in front of everyone—it would’ve been impolite.”

“You should be grateful I married you at all.”

Lovett stared at him, stunned.

This man… wasn’t the husband she thought she knew.

Amy was four years old.

That meant Kennedy had been cheating on her even before their marriage.

Every trip to China… every excuse… So... He'd been going there, not for business. But to see...

Her vision blurred as sobs wracked her body.

Without another word, Kennedy grabbed a brown file from the bed and shoved it into her hands.