Chapter 5

Connor's tone suddenly turned serious. "My marriage to Janice was a mistake from the start. The one I truly love is Willa!"

He raised his voice. "We've loved each other for years, but due to circumstances beyond our control, we couldn't be together. Even our son had to be raised under someone else's name, suffering the pain of being separated from his mother!"

The guests erupted into a frenzy.

Willa lowered her head at just the right moment, pretending to wipe away nonexistent tears.

Connor gave a signal, and a helper brought out a thin boy in tattered clothes.

"This is Zeke, my son with Janice." Connor's voice choked up. "And Sean… is actually Willa's son! I'm ending this mistake today!"

He pointed at me and said sharply, "Janice, we're getting a divorce! This house belongs to Sean, which means it belongs to me!

"As a gesture for all the years you've raised Sean, I'll let you keep that run-down place and give you 100 thousand dollars. From now on, we're done! Take your son and get out of my life!"

Willa looked up as well. A look of malicious triumph was plastered across her face. "Janice, did you hear that? Sean is my son, and I'm his real mother! You've raised him all these years, but now, it's time for him to return to his real family!"

Though Sean didn't fully understand, hearing "real mother" and that the house belonged to Connor, he joined in, "Get out now! This is Dad's and Ms. Larsen's house! You're not my mom!"

The three of them stood proudly in the center of the spotlight, condemning and casting me out.

The scene erupted into murmurs and shouts at once.

"Connor, how could you switch the kids and cheat while married? Are you even human?"

"I feel so bad for Janice. She's raised someone else's son for years!"

"This woman's shameless! She's the mistress and yet acts so righteous!"

"You can't divorce him! Janice, you can't just let him go! Why should you let them get away with this so easily?"

"Right! Drag this out! You deserve a share of the house too! Don't let them win!"

Furious friends and family voiced their support for me.

Connor and Willa hadn't expected such a strong reaction. Their expressions darkened, but they tried to stay calm.

Willa raised her voice. "This is our family matter! Why are you all interfering? Connor is just pursuing true love. What's wrong with that? Janice couldn't keep her man. Who else can she blame?"

Her words only poured fuel on the fire.

Amidst the shouting and the calls for me not to compromise, I slowly raised my head and said calmly, "I appreciate everyone's concern."

The room fell silent, and everyone looked at me in confusion.

I turned to Connor, glanced at Willa, then glanced briefly at Sean before my focus finally settled on Zeke, who was huddled in the corner.

Then, I slowly said, "I agree to the divorce."

With that, I signed the divorce agreement.

Connor picked up the agreement, double-checked my signature, and his face finally relaxed into a grin. "Let's go our separate ways from now on."

As he said that, he wrapped an arm around Willa and beckoned Sean over, ready to start their new life.

"Wait."

My voice rang out again.

"Before your little family enjoys their new life, I have a special gift for you."