Chapter 8

Logan's words cut through Summer's numbness. The pain was so intense she could barely breathe. He kept talking, but she didn't hear another word.

So he'd only gotten close to her and protected her to make Vivian notice him.

For ten years, Summer had loved him with everything she had. And all that time, he'd never loved her back.

She'd been nothing more than a means to an end, someone he'd used to catch the attention of the woman he really wanted.

Even the loss of their first baby had been his fault.

Summer burst out laughing. She laughed until tears spilled down her cheeks and onto her lips, leaving a bitter taste.

Maybe it was better this way. Now she could walk away without a shred of guilt.

The next day, Summer went to the courthouse in disguise. Keeping her distance, she watched Logan pull strings to get their divorce finalized in record time.

As soon as he had his divorce decree in hand, he turned to Vivian with a tender smile. He took her hand and headed straight off to get married.

Even the courthouse staff were stunned by how quickly he'd moved on.

After they left, Summer went up to the counter and showed the clerk her ID.

"My ex-husband was just here to get divorced. I came to pick up my copy of the divorce decree."

The clerk looked surprised but quickly found the document and handed it to her.

The next day, Summer began packing her things.

Logan helped her pack, looking puzzled. "Why are you bringing so much? You're only staying at the other house until you're better. I'll bring you home soon."

Summer kept her eyes down, her voice flat. "I'll be more comfortable with my own things."

Logan studied her face as though he wanted to say something, but in the end, he stayed silent.

He drove Summer to the other house and helped her settle in.

He said gently, "I'll be away on business for a while. Just focus on getting better, okay? I'll come see you when I get back."

Logan had barely left when Summer saw a new post from Vivian on social media. She'd made sure everyone could see it.

The caption read, "We're getting married tomorrow! Send us some love!"

In the photo, Vivian and Logan held hands, their fingers intertwined. A diamond ring sparkled on Vivian's ring finger.

When Logan married Summer, he'd given her nothing but a plain silver band.

A moment later, Vivian sent Summer a private message, along with a photo of their marriage certificate. Her smugness was unmistakable.

"Guess my baby's not going to be born a bastard after all. You lose, Summer.

"Don't get too upset, okay? You've got a brain tumor, remember? Getting all worked up could kill you.

"Why don't you come to our wedding tomorrow? Everyone knew what was going on except you. I almost feel sorry for you."

Summer stared at Vivian's gloating message, then quietly typed her reply.

"I'll be there."

Early the next morning, Summer arrived at the wedding venue in disguise.

Logan had spared no expense on Vivian's wedding. He'd invited half the city's most influential people.

The moment Vivian stepped out of the car, Logan swept her into his arms. Whenever guests came over to congratulate them, he'd gently explain.

"My wife's pregnant. Her feet get sore if she stands too long, and I hate seeing her uncomfortable."

The guests couldn't stop gushing about what a devoted husband he was.

From a dim corner near the entrance, Summer watched Logan carry Vivian down the aisle and exchange vows with her. She thought back to the days when she and Logan had barely been scraping by.

They'd shared a tiny rented apartment, and their wedding celebration had been nothing more than a modest dinner. They couldn't even afford a decent bottle of wine.

Back then, Logan had looked at her with tears in his eyes and made her a promise.

"Summer, one day I'm going to give you the wedding you deserve. I swear I'll never betray you. And if I ever do, I deserve to lose the person I love most and end up alone for the rest of my life!"

Now he stood there holding another woman's hand, promising to love her forever.

The emcee handed Logan the microphone and invited him to say a few words.

His eyes were a little red, and his voice was full of affection as he began.

"I have three gifts for Vivian today. The first is a love letter I've held on to for years. I fell in love with her when we were young, but we came from different worlds, and I was too afraid to tell her how I felt. Today, I finally get to tell her.

"The second is an agreement to transfer my own shares to her. I'll do whatever it takes to help her family get back on its feet. I don't care how hard I have to work. It'll be worth it.

"And the third is proof that I've had a vasectomy."

He gazed at Vivian lovingly.

"You said our baby would be the only child I'd ever have. I promise I'll never love anyone but you, and I'll spend the rest of my life taking care of our child."

The room erupted in cheers.

Vivian smiled triumphantly. As she leaned in to kiss Logan, she glanced toward the ballroom entrance and mouthed the words to Summer.

"Told you. You'll always be a bastard. Your luck's run out."

Summer froze for a moment, then managed a faint smile.

She'd recorded Logan's speech on her phone. As she turned to leave, she blocked his number and all his social media accounts.

Then she booked a flight to Havenport.

Just a few hours earlier, she'd received an email.

A faint, mocking smile tugged at her lips.

Neither Logan nor Vivian knew that Summer wasn't a Siegel by blood. Lucinda had found her when she was little and taken her in.

The email contained DNA test results confirming that Summer was the long-lost daughter of Havenport's richest family.

As the plane took off, Summer slipped on her headphones and gently closed her eyes.

"Logan, I hope you get everything you've ever wanted, only to lose the person you love most."

At last, she was leaving it all behind, ready to start over and meet the family she'd never known.