Chapter 1

My lawyer, Everett Preston, replied in no time. "I can have the agreement drafted by tonight. You should prepare in advance to fight for your son's custody. Gather and organize all your chat histories from over the years."

I had just saved the screenshots when Celeste Rochester pushed open the door and walked in. She was still wearing the light blue matching family dress from the live broadcast, with a smudge of cream on her sleeve.

Jonah Bellamy trailed behind her, holding Iris Bellamy's hand. "Is there anything left to eat at home? Iris has been complaining about being hungry ever since the event ended."

Celeste draped her bag over the back of a chair and ordered me around as usual. "Make us a plate of spaghetti. Go easy on the basil. Iris doesn't eat it."

I didn't budge.

Kevin poked his head out from behind me, clutching his drawing, which had been torn in half. "Mommy, why didn't you show up to watch my performance?"

It hit Celeste that he was still wearing his costume. She paused for a beat before bending down to stroke his head. "Something came up at the last minute. I'll show up next time."

Kevin dodged her hand. "My teacher said today's the final performance."

"I can watch the video later. It's the same thing," she said casually before pulling a golden medal out of her pocket. "Look, I brought you a gift."

Kevin's eyes lit up. Yet, the moment he took the medal, his smile instantly vanished. Iris' name was engraved on the back of the medal.

Jonah immediately appeared contrite. "Oh dear, you took the wrong one, Celeste. That's the medal Iris won at her family day competition."

Celeste frowned and took the medal from Kevin's hands. "Since it's Iris', give it back to her. Be a good boy, Kevin. I'll buy you a new one next time."

Kevin remained frozen in place. His hands were still held out as though he were holding something.

After what felt like an eternity, he withdrew his hands. "But you used to say that you have to earn a medal on your own, Mommy. It doesn't count if you buy it."

Celeste's expression stiffened slightly.

Iris had already snatched the medal and hung it around her neck. She tilted her head back and made a face at Kevin. "Celeste did the relay with me today, and we came in first place!"

Kevin lowered his head and crumpled the ripped drawing in his fists.

I stepped in front of him. "We ran out of spaghetti. So, you should eat out."

Celeste's expression darkened. "Kai Heathcliff, the kids are right here. Do you really have to behave like this?"

Jonah hurriedly stopped her. "Forget it. Kai's still upset. Iris and I'll head home. Even though the water's shut off at our place, we can tough it out for one night."

"How are you supposed to stay there without running water?" Celeste pinched the bridge of her nose. "Our guest room is unoccupied. You two can stay here tonight."

I looked up at her. "That won't be appropriate."

"Why? It's not like we don't have enough room." Celeste glanced at Kevin and softened her tone. "I was wrong not to attend his performance. I'll play with him later. Jonah's only staying for one night. Don't make things difficult for him."

Kevin suddenly tugged at the hem of my shirt. "Daddy, I want to go to bed."

I took his hand and led him toward his bedroom.

Iris spotted the little cape on his headboard. She broke from Jonah's grasp and ran inside. "This is pretty. I want to wear it!"

It was a souvenir that the teacher had given to every child after the performance ended.

Kevin finally lost his composure and reached out to grab it. "That's mine!"

Iris hid the cape behind her back. "Celeste said good things are meant to be shared!"

As the two children tugged back and forth, the cape ripped down the middle. Kevin was caught off guard.

Celeste walked over and immediately shielded Iris behind her. "It's just a cheap piece of fabric. I'll get you a new one since it's ruined."

Kevin looked up at her, tears brimming in his eyes. "This is the second time you've given my things to her today, Mommy."

Celeste parted her lips, but she was at a loss for words.

Kevin lowered his head and hugged the ripped drawing tightly against his chest, as if it was the only thing he had left to prove that Celeste had once belonged to him and his father.