Chapter 1

I had just ended my phone call with my dad when a text message from my husband, Felix Cole, popped up.

Felix: [Jasper won the gold prize in the art competition. I'm holding a celebration party for him tonight. Get everything ready.]

Felix was the leader of the Reapers, a powerful local mafia. Every time he held a party, I would be so exhausted that I would feel like a zombie by the end of it.

I needed to make sure our home was secure, prepare sufficient food and beverages, and send every guest home. I also needed to clean up the villa thoroughly after the party. I used to be willing to do so, thinking I was contributing to my family. However, I now understood that they did not care about anything I did.

I had decided to leave, but I would fulfill my duties as a wife and a mother before I went.

When my son, Jasper, came home with Maeve Leighton, I was in the kitchen instructing the housekeepers to decant the wine, grill the steaks, arrange the tableware, and set up the party hall.

Maeve praised me to Jasper, "The cake your mom made is so beautiful. But look at me—I don't know anything."

Jasper replied with disdain, "What's so great about this? Any housekeeper at home could do it. Ms. Leighton, you know archery, the law, and investment. You're also beautiful. My mom simply can't compare with you."

His words pierced my heart like a sharp knife. He had no idea that I was the youngest daughter of financial tycoon, Anthony Shaw, and a top student at Harford University back in the day. While serving as the captain of the university cheerleading team, I also took up three majors—neurosurgery, law, and financial management.

My family was against my relationship with Felix, so I severed ties with them to marry Felix. I followed him to start a new life in a strange city, Maxic. I gave up the career I was pursuing as a surgeon, an offer to join the world's top law firm, and the position of financial director in the world's largest multinational group to start a family.

I never expected my own son to despise me like this now.

Maeve walked into the kitchen and said she wanted to learn how to bake a cake from me, but she accidentally knocked over the cake I had prepared.

When Jasper found out that the cake was ruined, he rushed in and yelled at me, "You're really dumb. You can't even make a cake! My friends will be here soon, and I've already told them that I'd prepare a seven-layer cake to welcome them!"

I looked at Maeve, but she just looked at me defiantly. I wanted to explain, but I shut up when I thought about how Jasper would always choose to side with Maeve every time I had a conflict with her. I just wanted the argument to be over with, so I said gently, "Sorry, my hand slipped."

Jasper seemed even angrier when he heard my apology. "I hate you. What else can you do besides apologize? I know you did it on purpose. You're trying to get back at me and embarrass me because I didn't paint you for the competition!"

My eyes reddened. How could Jasper think of me like this? As his mother, I would never think of getting back at him even if he did something wrong.

Jasper's acceptance speech came to my mind again.

He had said, "I painted the mother of my dreams. I hope that one day, she can really become my mom."

Jasper did not want me as his mother anymore.

Maeve tapped Jasper on the head. "How did I educate you? How could you be so mean to your own mother?"

She turned to look at me again. "Naomi, I'm sorry. I didn't educate Jasper properly. I apologize to you on his behalf."

Maeve spoke as if she were the madam of the house and Jasper's mother while I was just a guest. In the past, I would have argued with her, but I did not want to do so anymore. She would probably become the true madam and Jasper's mother after I left.

She continued to regard herself as Jasper's mother, squatting down to coax Jasper. "Don't be upset. I'll send someone to issue an order immediately. I'll buy you 100 cakes."

Jasper cheered up and gave Maeve a peck. "Ms. Leighton, you're the best. You're 100 times better than my mom. She'll only apologize when she encounters a problem, but you'll always find a way to solve the problem."

I had no idea why Jasper saw me this way. When he gained weight, I accompanied him to exercise. When he was falling behind in his studies, I got a teaching certificate to teach him myself. I also hired the best doctor when he was sick. I was always like Superman, solving every problem he encountered.

The butler, Alfred Daniels, was furious and seemed to want to defend me, but I raised my hand to stop him.

After Maeve took Jasper out to play, he said indignantly, "Mrs. Cole, why didn't you refute? How could Mr. Jasper talk to you like that?"

I smiled at Alfred. "It doesn't matter. He's still a child. Speaking of which, have you memorized today's party rundown? I'm going to have to trouble you for future parties."

"Why?" Felix's voice suddenly rang out behind me.