Chapter 1

I froze outside the maternity dept, heart pounding. No mistaking that face.

The memory of her knife still burned in my gut. And there was Chuck Benetton—my so-called husband—cradling her belly like it was everything.

Even from far away, his love for Sharon and that baby hit me like a punch.

So that marriage? The one I thought made things right? Total scam.

And my parents—the ones who swore they had my back—had wiped the evidence clean and pushed Chuck to marry me. All to keep their real daughter out of prison.

What a joke.

I looked away before Chuck could see me crack. That's when my phone lit up—Mom and Dad calling. Of course.

Their ringtone blared—panicked and sharp. I took a breath and picked up.

"Yasmine, where'd you go? The butler said you left. Did you go to the hospital again? How many times have we told you—not to go alone! What if something happens?"

My nails dug into my palm, grounding me.

Were they really scared for me... or scared I'd find out?

"Yasmine? You there? Your mom and I just got here. We're coming to find you."

Their fake concern cut deeper than I expected.

I kept my voice cool. "I'm in the OB-GYN restroom. It's just a checkup. No big deal. I'm not a kid—I can't keep leaning on you guys forever."

That fake chill in my tone? It worked. Their panic faded fast.

A few minutes later, Mom barged in, scanning me from head to toe. "You're okay, right? Did you get checked?"

Her lashes lowered, but the flicker of panic in her eyes said it all. Thinking back to how fast they'd rushed over...

Yeah. They weren't scared for me—they were scared I'd run into Sharon and blow their cover.

"I'm fine," I said. "Felt a little sick when I got here, so I haven't done the checkup yet."

"That's good," she blurted, then backtracked fast. "Wait—I mean, good you waited. Your dad and I are here. No way we’re letting you face those cold machines by yourself. Come on, we’ll go with you."

At the door stood my dad—kind smile, soft eyes.

He didn't share my blood, but I grew up thinking I was his everything.

Not today.

Today, I learned blood beats love.

So fine. Let's play that game.