Chapter 1

I rubbed my forehead in frustration.

In front of me stood my ex, Lewis Gordon, whom I hadn't seen in five years. He looked like he was about to blow a fuse.

I took a deep breath and said again, "Lewis, I'm telling you again. He is not your son. We are over, so please stop pestering me. After all, the best exes are the ones who are as good as dead. If you run into them, the most respectful thing is to act like you've never met."

I glanced over at my son, Damon Bauer.

It was the 90th birthday of Johann Tucker, my husband's godfather. He hadn't met me and Damon yet, so he insisted my husband, Elliot Bauer, bring both of us along.

But halfway there, Elliot had an urgent matter to take care of, so I came ahead with Damon.

Damon sweetly called out "Grandpa Johann", which made Johann so happy that he immediately gave Damon some pocket money. He pulled Damon close and wouldn't let go.

Damon was smiling sweetly in Johann's arms, making the old man blush with joy.

When I turned my gaze back to Lewis, I saw the mocking smile in his eyes.

"Alicia Chapman, you're something else. Back when I was young and naive, you played me into being your boyfriend. I can't believe I actually dated an older woman like you. I never would've guessed you'd secretly gotten pregnant with my kid.

"And you've raised him to be such a sweet-talker. You're trying to use him to win over Grandpa Johann and keep a leash on me, aren't you?"

I rolled my eyes at him. I'd already told him Damon wasn't his son, so why couldn't he understand?

I didn't want to waste time with someone who couldn't understand simple words.

I turned to leave, but Lewis grabbed my arm. "What's the matter? Feeling embarrassed after I exposed you? Trying to run away? You don't want your son anymore?"

"Let go of me."

I jerked my arm free and glanced around the hall.

Luckily, everyone was too busy socializing to notice us.

Otherwise, if word got back to my possessive husband that I was tangled up with another man, I honestly feared he wouldn't let me out of bed tonight.

Suddenly, Damon broke free from Johann's embrace and shot toward me like a little cannonball. With his arms outstretched, he stood in front of me.

He barked at Lewis with fierce intensity, "Who are you? Don't bully my mommy, or my daddy will make you regret it."

As Damon stood next to Lewis, I couldn't help but notice how much they looked alike.

A flash of doubt crept into my mind.

Lewis' gaze was fixed on Damon's face, and then he sneered. "Didn't your mom tell you who I am?"

"Lewis, don't talk nonsense," I warned him, pulling Damon behind me.

He smirked coldly. "Little brat, you sure are talking big in front of me. Your dad won't make me regret it, but I can make you regret it right now."

With that, he grabbed Damon's chubby cheek and pinched it. "Nice and soft."

"Lewis!"

I rushed forward to grab Damon, but he accidentally bumped into Katherine Poole, Lewis' girlfriend.

She was caught off guard, and her ankle twisted in her high heels. She yelled, "Ah! Lewis, it hurts! Your son is such a brat! He pushed me on purpose."

When Lewis saw Katherine on the floor, his expression darkened. He helped her up and pulled her into his arms before slapping Damon across the face.

"Damn you! How dare you push her? Apologize to her."

Damon's face instantly turned red and swollen from the slap, and my heart broke for him. I raised my hand to strike Lewis back, but he grabbed my wrist tightly.

He scanned the hall. Probably not wanting to make a scene, he dragged me and Damon out toward the garden. "Come with me."

"Let go of Mommy, you bad—"

Damon struggled in my arms, trying to bite Lewis, but Katherine quickly snatched him away and covered his mouth tightly.

They dragged us into the garden.