Chapter 1

Jordan's POV

The door creaked open. Xavier Jarquin, who had been playing video games in the living room, immediately looked up.

The moment our eyes met, I felt my blood run cold. He was the illegitimate son who had driven Mom to her death.

My dad, Ryan Jarquin, and my older sister, Greta Jarquin, had wanted to tear him apart with their own hands. My best friend, Steven Morgan, had even run after him with a knife and nearly beat him half to death.

But here he was, perfectly healthy and carefree, sitting in the living room playing video games.

"Are Ryan and the others here?"

A woman's familiar voice came from inside. Upon hearing that voice, my heart sank to my stomach.

A moment later, Sharon Shaw walked out of the kitchen wearing an apron. The moment she saw me, she froze completely and looked visibly shaken.

She stuttered, "J-Jordan, you… H-How did you get in?"

I didn't answer. My eyes fell on the cat sleeping peacefully in the corner. It was the only thing Mom had left me. Sharon had told me it died of an illness.

But it turned out that this whole time, it was with the very man who had caused Mom's death.

Sharon immediately took off her apron and reached for my hand. "Jordan, please, let me explain. He had nowhere else to go, so I took him in…"

I looked around.

There were two pairs of matching slippers, two toothbrushes, and a matching set of his-and-hers mugs. Even the clothes they wore were clearly a couple's matching outfits.

The home I hadn't set foot in for a long time was filled with evidence of the life they shared.

Just then, I heard a commotion at the door.

Dad walked in carrying a container of Xavier's favorite beef stew. Greta held a bouquet of flowers, while Steven carried a huge box of liquor.

The moment they saw me, all the smiles vanished from their faces.

"Jordan…"

The living room fell into complete silence.

I let out a bitter laugh. "So you guys have been deceiving me for the sake of this bastard?"

My phone was still filled with the messages they'd sent me earlier.

Dad had texted, "Tomorrow, stay home and spend some time with me. I'll make you a huge feast!"

Steven had messaged, "Hey, Jordan. I want to check out the auto show. Come with me the day after tomorrow."

Greta had texted, "Attend the concert with me in the next few days. It's on me!"

Our hospital only allowed me a few days of leave each year. So, I'd raced against the clock to see Sharon the moment my annual day off started.

But every time I came home, they dragged me off to dinner, took me sightseeing, and spoiled me as though I were the most precious person in the world.

I'd always thought they simply missed me too terribly. But it turned out they had only been making sure the two of them had plenty of uninterrupted time together.

Xavier immediately walked over to me, looking wounded. "Jordan, everyone just felt sorry for me because I had no one. That's why they secretly took care of me. Please don't blame them…"

I'd once believed they hated Xavier as much as I did, that we were all united against him. But now, I realized that I'd been the one locked out of the door all along.

The tears finally spilled over. I wiped them away and looked at Sharon, who looked like a deer caught in headlights.

I said, "Let's get a divorce."