Chapter 3

I stood up and left the gift box containing the sapphire earrings sitting right on the dining table.

For years, I had lost count of how many times I wished he’d remember what I liked or plan a surprise just for me. But now, I left that long-awaited surprise behind without a second glance.

As I walked out of the dining room, Carson’s voice drifted over from the foyer, talking on the phone.

"Don't worry, Don Harrison. The living room layout has been completed exactly to your specifications. The white roses are set up. Ms. Ferell will definitely be pleased."

I froze in my tracks.

All of this was prepared for Susan?

Carson’s voice continued. "Also, the wine and desserts you specified will be prepared according to Ms. Ferell’s taste. I’m sure she’ll be thrilled when she sees it."

Every drop of blood in my body went completely cold. So none of this had ever been meant for me.

I stumbled out of the estate in a daze when my phone suddenly rang. It was my biological father, whom I had only recently reconnected with.

On the other end, the man’s voice sounded hesitant and overly cautious.

"Lily, I know you might not be ready for this yet, but your mother and I are so sorry for all these lost years. Tomorrow... can we still come pick you up according to our original plan?"

The man on the phone was David Snyder, one of the most influential figures in the Europra business world. My mother came from a prominent family that had run art and philanthropic ventures for generations.

And I was their only daughter—the sole heir to the Snyder empire from the day I was born.

When I was little, a rival kidnapped me, and all trace of my whereabouts was lost. It wasn't until recently that my parents finally tracked me down.

"Your mother was so overwhelmed when she found out we located you. Her health hasn't been great, and her emotions were running so high that she had to be admitted to the hospital a few days ago. All she keeps asking is when she can see her daughter."

My eyes suddenly burned with tears.

It seemed there were people in this world who actually cared about me. Besides Nathan, someone else had been desperately searching for me after losing me.

I took a deep breath and answered softly, "I'll be waiting for you tomorrow."

After hanging up, I looked back at the mansion behind me that I used to call home. Starting today, it was nothing.

The next morning, the Snyder motorcade pulled up outside the estate right on schedule. Black Maybachs lined both sides of the road, and crisp, sharp-looking bodyguards stood by the car doors, bowing their heads in unison as I approached.

"Miss."

Their voices were respectful and firm.

In that single moment, reality finally sank in. I was no longer the invisible assistant standing in Nathan’s shadow, nor was I his secret wife. I was the long-lost daughter of the Snyder family, the sole heir to an empire.

The heavy car door slid shut, cutting off the view of the estate behind me. Just as we were about to leave Siciamira, my phone rang again.

Nathan's name flashed across the screen. When I answered, his voice sounded tight with repressed irritation.

"Lily, where are you? Why did you leave the sapphire earrings on the dining table instead of taking them?"

He paused, a hint of accusation creeping into his tone.

"Do you have any idea how much effort I put into getting that gift? I tracked down top jewelry designers in Europra just to pick out a style you'd like..."

For the very first time, I cut him off.

"Was the yacht party fun last night, Nathan?"

Silence deadened the line before his voice turned icy.

"Did you hire someone to spy on me? Lily, you never trust me. All you do is accuse me based on your own wild assumptions.

"How many times do I have to explain? Susan and I are just business partners. If you can't even give me basic trust, then I really don't know what else to say.

"I was exhausted yesterday, and I don't want to start my morning arguing with you."

In the past, hearing those words would have sent me spiraling, crying, and desperately trying to prove I didn't mean to doubt him. Now, I just listened quietly.

"Okay, I get it," I replied softly.

Nathan seemed thrown off by my tone. It took him a long moment before his voice softened.

"Lily, stop acting up. I saw the gift you sent over.

"Today is our anniversary. Finish up whatever you're doing and come home early. I'll take you out for a candlelight dinner."

I didn't tell him that what he received was actually our finalized divorce documents. I just whispered, "I hope you like my gift, Nathan."

Before he could respond, I hung up the phone and blocked his number.

From this day on, we would never see each other again.