Chapter 1 A Title Is Only a Label

It was not true.

I lowered my gaze and stared at the deformed bones in my fingers. On rainy days, the pain would keep me awake the entire night.

Maybe in the past, I would have exaggerated it on purpose, just to make her worry. Maybe I would have used the injury to coax a kiss out of her.

But now, I would not. After all, no one would keep degrading themselves forever.

Sadie Knight bit her lower lip and let out a soft sigh. "Ian, lying isn't a good habit. You used to be afraid of pain."

I lowered my brows, masking my emotions. "You said it yourself. That was the past."

She looked a little helpless, as if she wanted to take my hand the way she used to.

"Bad man! Mommy, don't touch him! Daddy will hear about this!"

Ethan Walker charged forward and slammed into me. Then he bit down hard on my thigh. A dull, numbing pain spread through my leg.

"Get away! This is all your fault! If it weren't for you, Mommy wouldn't be mad at Daddy. Daddy hates you! Don't you dare seduce my mommy! Don't buy anything from him—his stuff is dirty and disgusting. Let him starve!"

With that, he grabbed a pair of scissors from the table and rushed at me again.

"Ethan! Stop." Sadie yanked him back, losing her temper for the first time. "Apologize."

"I won't! If it weren't for him, Daddy wouldn't be sad. It's all his fault!" Ethan glared at me defiantly, ready to lunge again at any moment.

Looking at the child I had once raised with my own hands, at that little face that looked so much like mine, I felt nothing in particular. If anything, it was faintly absurd.

Sadie's expression darkened as she dragged him in front of me, forcing him to call me Dad. He clenched his tiny fists, his face screaming resistance. "No! He's not my dad! My dad is taller and more handsome—he's nothing like this ugly man. It'd be better if he died. That way, Daddy Finn would be happy."

"Ethan!" Sadie's hand trembled as she gripped his.

I calmly stepped in and defused the situation. "He's just a child. There's no need. A title is only a label."

"I don't need your fake kindness!" Ethan shoved me hard and started crying into his smartwatch.

Sadie twisted the hem of her dress, then turned back to me with a conflicted look. "Ian, Ethan, he…"

She rubbed her wrist tiredly. "Forget it. When do you get off work? I'll wait for you."

"No need." I deliberately put some distance between us and bent down to clean up the mess. "Your husband should still be waiting at home."

"Oh my, Ms. Knight, you're here."

The store manager came out from the back. He gave me a disdainful kick before plastering on a fake smile. "We've got quite a few new arrivals. Are you looking to pick something out for your husband again? The suit you ordered last time is ready too, if you'd like to take a look… We're a bit short-staffed, so we hired a clumsy employee. If you don't like him, I'll have him leave immediately."

Sadie did not respond. She just stared straight at me, as if waiting for me to say something in my defense.

Unfortunately, she was bound to be disappointed. I simply continued doing what I was supposed to do in silence.

After a long moment, her eyes reddened. "No need. He's fine."

The manager chuckled. "Kind as ever, Ms. Knight. This guy's got sticky fingers—I wouldn't keep him if I had the choice. Your husband even said last time that he stole a luxury watch in public. Must be desperate from poverty."

At that, he shot me a sideways glance, as if granting me mercy. "Since Ms. Knight has spoken, you can stay."

I gave a quiet hum, unmoved.

Suddenly, Sadie stepped on the tip of my shoe, her beauty almost suffocating. "Ian Corbett, say something."

When I didn't respond, she grew more urgent. "Speak. Deny it. You used to be so proud—where did that fire go? Refute him. Say you didn't do it."

I tugged at the corner of my lips and pushed her away. "He's not wrong. I did it."

The manager suddenly sensed something was off. "Ms. Knight… you know each other?"

"I…"

"No," I cut in, lifting my head to meet her gaze calmly. "Ms. Knight and I are complete strangers."

All she had ever done was leave me like this.