Chapter 4

Finally, I saw him.

In a corner away from the crowd, a small figure was crouching.

His clothes were tattered, his little hands red from the cold.

A teacher noticed my gaze and sighed.

"That's Little Leo. He's been withdrawn since he arrived five years ago."

"He doesn't like to talk. He just stays by herself."

"Who knows what that poor child has been through..."

My heart stopped in that instant.

Even from a distance, I recognized the face that mirrored my own.

He had to be my child.

When he needed a mother's love most, where was I?

I was giving all my love to someone else's child.

A wave of agony swallowed me whole.

I grit my teeth, my fingernails digging into my palms.

Ethan. Sophia.

You stole my life.

You swapped my flesh and blood.

For five years, you took everything.

I will make you pay back a thousand times!

After returning from the school, I locked myself in my office.

My biological son, set up by his own father, abandoned to suffer in that wretched school for five years.

How could I even calculate this debt?

Sam's fifth birthday was approaching.

Ethan was unusually active, declaring he would throw the biggest party for his beloved pup.

"It's Sam's first formal birthday. We must invite all the pack members and friends."

"It needs to be lively."

He kept watching my reaction.

He was testing me, trying to see if a certain someone could logically appear on the guest list.

I pretended to be ignorant and nodded.

"Alright. You handle the list. I'll handle the venue."

I booked the most expensive high-end club in the city.

On the day of the birthday, Sam wore a mini tuxedo, running around the private suite.

Looking at his rosy cheeks, my heart ached.

Even knowing the truth, the feelings from five years of raising him couldn't vanish instantly.

He ran to the dessert table, reaching for a fifth macaron.

"Sam."

I walked over and reminded him gently.

"Too many sweets will hurt your teeth."

He looked up at me, pouted, and suddenly pushed my hand away hard.

"I don't want you! Daddy said! The Real mother is coming to my party today!"

"I only want the Real mother to take care of me!"

Her childish voice echoed clearly in the suite.

The laughter died instantly.

All eyes turned to me.

Ethan rushed over, pulling Sam to his side.

"Elena, he's just talking nonsense. Don't take it to heart."

Sam pouted, on the verge of tears.

Just then, the door opened again.

Sophia walked in.

Sam immediately broke free from Ethan and threw himself into Sophia's arms.

"Real Mommy! Daddy and Fake Mommy both bullied me!"

Sophia picked him up, her smile brushing over me with disdain.

Ethan stood there, his face pale and green.

"Elena, don't misunderstand. This is his dance teacher..."

Fortunately, the birthday song started.

The waiter pushed the cake cart in.

Ethan took a deep breath and walked to Sam and Sophia, trying to sound calm.

"Buddy, be good. Time to make a wish."

With everyone watching, Sam held onto Sophia, closed his eyes, and clasped his hands.

"I wish... I could have a new mom! I want to be with the Real Mommy forever!"

As his words fell.

The entire top-floor suite fell into dead silence.

The guests looked at each other in shock.

Ethan's face turned ashen.

He tried to smooth things over.

"What is this child babbling about?"

He looked at me.

"Elena, it's his birthday. He likes to act up. Don't be angry..."

"I'm not angry."

I smiled and took out a prepared file.

Under the confused gaze of everyone, I slowly took out the items one by one.

I walked to Sam and smiled.

"Sam, I will make your wish come true, okay?"