Chapter 1

The door to the private dining room glided open.

"Chloe... what are you doing here?"

The conversation died instantly. Everyone froze.

Liam stepped forward. He placed his body in front of Serena. A protective instinct.

The first time he betrayed me, my heart felt like it was cut to pieces. Tonight, I felt nothing. Just dead calm.

Today was Serena's birthday. It was also mine.

Every single year, they brought her to this exact restaurant. Every single year, they booked this exact VIP room.

And every single year, they forgot to invite me.

"Next time, Chloe! We'll give you your own special party next time!"

They had repeated that line for ten straight years. They never once kept that promise.

"Honey, listen to me," Liam rushed over. His voice sounded frantic. "Let me explain."

I remained silent.

"The baby was a mistake!" he stammered. "I haven't seen her since you came back. I swear!"

He grabbed my hands.

"You've always wanted a baby. When it's born, you can raise it as your own.

"Or... if you can't accept that, I'll send her and the baby abroad. They won't trouble you again."

My biological parents, Mr. and Mrs. Shaw, exchanged awkward glances. Finally, my mother couldn't hold back.

"Chloe, Serena has nothing left," she pleaded softly. "It's just a child. Can't you find it in your heart to accept them?"

Serena's eyes welled with tears.

"Mom, don't," Serena whimpered. "Chloe has every right to be mad. It's my fault. I should have been more careful."

"Come back home," I interrupted softly.

The room fell dead silent. Nobody expected me to be this calm.

Liam stared at me. He couldn't believe his ears. "What?"

A faint smile touched my lips. "Serena is pregnant. It's not safe or convenient for her to live alone outside. Bring her back to our estate."

His body went tense. My reaction only terrified him more.

"Chloe, if you're upset, hit me. Shout at me. Don't hide it inside."

I looked up into his eyes. "I'm not upset. She's carrying your child. It's only right that I make room for her."

Liam's eyes turned red. "Are you really not angry?"

I shook my head.

He let out a massive sigh of relief.

---

That very night, my parents and Serena moved back into our house.

The atmosphere was glowing with joy.

Even my mother, who always claimed cooking oil ruined her skin, went straight to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

I had been back with my real family for ten full years. This was the first time she had ever cooked a meal for me.

At the table, my mother piled food onto Serena's plate.

"Eat more, sweetheart. You were living out there for so long. Look how thin you've gotten. The baby needs nutrition!"

Liam picked up a shrimp. He peeled it carefully and dropped it onto my plate.

"Why aren't you eating?" he asked gently. "Shrimp is your favorite."

We were together for two years before marriage. Married for five. Seven years total.

He still couldn't remember that I was violently allergic to shellfish.

It was Serena who loved shrimp.

Liam picked up the peeled shrimp and reached out to feed me. I leaned back, dodging his hand.

In an instant, my father slammed his hand on the table.

He stood up, grabbed the entire platter of greasy shrimp, and hurled it straight onto my chest.

Hot juice soaked through my shirt. The liquid scalded my skin.

"Chloe, I thought you grew up! I thought you were finally mature enough to accept Serena!" he roared.

"Who are you pulling a face for?" my father sneered. "If you're going to act like a crazy bitch, stop pretending to be so forgiving!"

My fingers tightened around my fork. I didn't say a word.

I picked up the shrimp. I put it in my mouth and swallowed it.

Within minutes, bright red hives broke out across my neck and arms.

Liam's face went pale. He sprinted upstairs, grabbed my allergy medicine, and shoved two pills into my mouth.

"Chloe! Are you crazy?!" he cried in panic. "Why didn't you tell me you were allergic?!"

I looked at him, my expression blank.

"I didn't want to ruin the mood," I replied evenly. "Besides, didn't you say that if I ate it enough, my body would eventually get used to it?"

Over ten years, I had told them ninety-nine times. No one ever listened.

"I'm full," I said, pushing my chair back. "Enjoy your dinner."

Liam reached out and grabbed my wrist tight.

"Don't hurt yourself like this again, Chloe," he whispered, a sharp edge in his tone. "If Madam Rachel finds out, she'll be heartbroken."

I froze. He was threatening me with the only person I cared about.

I pulled my arm free and walked straight into my room.

I locked the door, pulled out my phone, and called my personal assistant, Sarah.

"Transfer all my tech patents and company shares directly to the Vance Group," I instructed quietly.

"And book two one-way tickets out of the country for next week. For me and Madam Rachel."