Chapter 1

My husband, Mike Harris, stared at the ring in the gift box for a moment. Then, he pulled a long face.

He demanded, "Put it back on for now. The whole family is here today. Don't make a scene."

I didn't take it. Instead, I asked, "Does everyone know the baby is yours?"

Mike's silence gave me my answer.

There were 12 tables in the banquet hall. At the center of the head table sat two name cards side by side that read, "Father—Mike Harris" and "Mother—Suzanne Lynch".

I'd been seated at the table closest to the entrance. My name card had two words printed on it—"First Wife".

I picked up the ridiculous card. So, this was what my seven-year marriage to Mike meant to them. I was just the first wife.

When Mike's aunt, Lydia Harris, saw me holding the card, she teased, "Nadia, you and Suzanne have the perfect arrangement. She has the baby, and you get to keep your position as Mrs. Harris. Nobody loses."

Mike's cousin-in-law chimed in, "Exactly. You didn't have to get any shots or go through pregnancy, and you got a son for free. It's about time you toast the baby's mother!"

The entire table burst into laughter.

More than 30 of Mike's relatives knew the truth. I was the only one who didn't find out until the baby's sip-and-see party.

The emcee hurried things along by urging with his microphone, "Come on up, First Wife! Let's get a family photo with all four of you."

As he spoke, Rita, Rita Harris, tried to push the baby into my arms.

I took a step back.

She tightened her hold on the baby, and her expression soured instantly. "So, you won't even hold your husband's child? What's with your attitude, huh?"

Suzanne stood beside Mike with her eyes turning red. "Rita, please don't pressure Nadia. It's understandable that she's having trouble accepting this. After all, she once lost a baby. Seeing little Ian must bring back some painful memories."

That was true. Six years ago, I'd lost my baby when I was five months pregnant. The doctor had warned me that another pregnancy would be extremely risky.

Mike had leaned over my hospital bed, crying as he told me that he never wanted children again for as long as he lived. All he wanted was for me to be safe.

I'd believed him.

After that, no matter how often Rita berated me for being unable to have children, I'd never told her that Mike himself had said he didn't want any. I'd thought not having children was a decision we'd made together.

Only now did I realize what a fool I'd been.

Mike softened his voice and said, "Nadia, I'm sorry I didn't tell you about this beforehand. Let's just take the photo first. I'll explain everything when we get home."

His tone was way gentler than it had been in a long time.

Despite everything, a small flicker of hope stirred in me. Maybe there was something I didn't know. Maybe there was a reasonable explanation.

But his next words crushed that hope.

He said, "Ian's only going to turn one month old once. Don't kick up a fuss or he won't have a proper family photo to look back on when he's older."

Rita even rummaged through my purse and pulled out the gold pendant my mother had left for my baby.

I reached for it, but she snatched it away.

Rita scoffed and said, "The baby who died won't need it anymore. It's perfect for his little brother."

Lydia sneered as well. "You can't have children. Might as well let Mike's son have it."

Rita handed the pendant to Mike, expecting him to put it around the baby's neck himself. Mike didn't take it right away.

I stared at him with tears welling up in my eyes. He knew what that pendant meant to me. My mother had left it for the baby I'd lost. It was the only keepsake I had left of that child.

But a few seconds later, Mike finally took it.

He lowered his voice and coaxed me gently, "Come on, Nadia. Just let Ian wear it for today. I'll buy you an identical one when we get home."

I shook my head. "It won't be the same."

Mike frowned. "What's the difference? They're just pendants."

The moment the cool metal touched the baby's skin, he started crying.

Mike bent down to soothe him immediately. "Don't cry, Ian. Daddy's here."

The camera shutters clicked one after another.

Mike stood protectively beside Suzanne and the baby in her arms. I stood at the far edge of the group, still clutching my "First Wife" name card.

After the photos were taken, Suzanne wiped her tears and turned to me. "Thank you for accepting this, Nadia. Don't worry. I only want the baby. Mike will still come home to you at night."

The bitterness I'd been struggling to swallow suddenly disappeared.

So, they'd already decided everything for me, right down to when my husband would come home and where he would spend his nights.

I turned and walked into the restroom.

An email from two days earlier was still sitting in my inbox. It was a transfer offer. The general manager in Nordain had asked whether I was still willing to fill the vacant position.

This time, I clicked "Accept". Three days from now, I'd leave for Nordain, and I would never come back.