Chapter 1

My daughter's eyes widened at once.

"Really?"

I smiled and nodded solemnly.

She took a deep breath and stood up.

Her speech wasn't long. It lasted five minutes in total.

Aside from thanking her high school teachers, the only family member she thanked was me.

"Thank you to my dad. Without him, I wouldn't be who I am today."

I watched my daughter speak with such poise, my heart filled with pride and bitterness at the same time.

Beside me, the relatives from Marissa Langley's side of the family frowned in dissatisfaction.

"She didn't mention her mother once?" Marissa's mother said with a sour face.

"I told you girls shouldn't study too much. They forget their roots!"

My daughter's aunt rolled her eyes, glanced at me, and said in a mocking tone,

"Mom, don't just blame the child. If she can say something like that, her father must have taught her!"

"My dad didn't teach me that."

Before I could speak, my daughter, who had always been sensible and shy, spoke up from behind me.

"You're talking about my mother, but where is she?"

Marissa's mother and aunt froze, then curled their lips.

"Your mother is busy with work. Something must have delayed her on the way. What's the big deal?"

"Exactly. Your mother just didn't come. It isn't like she's dead."

"But look at you. An ungrateful little brat. An unfilial daughter!"

My daughter's eyes reddened. She was about to argue, but I held her back.

"No need," I comforted her softly.

After all, to my daughter and me, Marissa might as well have been dead.

The dinner ended at eight thirty. My daughter and I saw off every guest before leaving the banquet hall.

At that exact moment, the doors to the banquet hall next door opened too.

My daughter was caught off guard and met Marissa's eyes as Marissa walked out holding Adrian Pierce's arm.

"Mom..."

Her eyes reddened at once.

"Why are you—"

"Oh, Dr. Langley, is this your daughter too?" one of the teachers walking out of the hall asked in surprise.

"How did your daughter do? Is she having her college-sendoff dinner next door too?"

Behind Marissa, her "son," Kyle Pierce, stiffened.

Adrian Pierce also glanced at Marissa and awkwardly let go of her arm.

"I don't know her."

Marissa suddenly spoke.

"She isn't my daughter. She has the wrong person."

My entire body jolted. I stared at her in disbelief.

"Marissa Langley, you—"

"Dad, forget it."

My daughter grabbed my arm. Her hands were shaking badly, but she still forced a smile onto her face.

A dull ache spread through my heart.

"Right. Wrong person." I looked straight at Marissa and said each word clearly.

"This is my daughter. We don't know you."

We turned and left.

Something seemed to waver in Marissa's eyes.

But in the end, she didn't chase after us.

One hour later, she came home smelling of alcohol.

"Adrian Pierce's child had his college-sendoff dinner today too. I was just temporarily pretending to be his mother so he could have a complete family."

She came in, changed her shoes, and explained lightly,

"And what I said just now was because I was afraid the child would be compared for no reason and develop an inferiority complex. It would affect his mental health.

"Next time, just invite your teachers out for a separate meal."

She reached out, wanting to pat our daughter's shoulder.

But my daughter turned away at once, avoiding her hand completely.

"There won't be a next time."

I calmly watched Marissa's expression turn ugly.

"The teachers are going on a trip too. Tonight was the only time everyone was here.

"After this, school starts."

The living room fell so quiet it felt unsettling.

Marissa withdrew her hand, frowned slightly, and glanced at our silent daughter.

"Then forget it.

"Nora Duncan, you're an adult now. Don't be so petty over a little thing like this.

"Once you enter society, no one will indulge your little temper."

She walked into the bedroom and shut the door behind her.

Our daughter stood there, desperately holding back tears.

I didn't say much.

The next morning, I handed her a document.

"Nora, Dad needs your help with something."

I spoke gently.

"Can you look over this divorce agreement and tell me if it's written properly?"