Chapter 1

Harvey Groff's POV:

At the hospital, Leta Quinlan held a girl by her hand, her gaze tender.

"All these years, you've lived a life that's more decent and carefree than the family's real scion. However, you have to be careful. Make sure that Harvey doesn't find out," she said.

Zachary Groff smiled, his arm linked with Leta's. "Leta, if not for you, that vicious man, Harvey Groff, would have probably really had me put away."

Leta furrowed her brows but did not push Zachary away. She simply turned to the girl next to her, smiling as she stroked her head.

"Let's not talk about this for now. All's good as long as the doctor confirms that Anna is fine. Her birthday party is coming up in a few days. Your parents and I will use visiting your grave as an excuse and be there on time."

The little girl, Anatalia Groff, wasn't following the conversation between the adults. She simply threw her arms around Leta and acted cutely.

They were so sweet with one another as a family of three, drawing envious looks from many, myself included.

I leaned against the wall around the corner, collapsing from despair before finally slumping to the floor.

Zachary was not chased out of the family or punished at all, and he certainly did not die in a traffic accident.

Over the last five years, he had been enjoying life way more than me, a victim and the family's real scion. He even had a child with my wife.

My biological parents, my wife, and everyone close to me were making a mockery of my life for the sake of Zachary, the fake scion.

What I thought was blissfulness was actually a whole web of lies!

I slumped on the floor, sinking into despair. Instinctively, I answered my phone when it rang.

"Harv, the butler mentioned that you went to the hospital to see the doctor today. You haven't had a break in a few days. Come home quickly so you can get some rest. It pains me to see you looking terrible."

As always, Mom's tone of voice was gentle and caring. However, now that I'd learned the truth, my heart went cold, and chills spread throughout my body as I listened to her.

She wasn't worried about me—she was just afraid that I'd bump into Zachary and learn about the truth.

I acknowledged her words and told her that I was at the pediatrics symposium on the first floor.

As expected, Mom freaked out instantly, telling me not to wander about and have Leta come and meet up with me immediately.

Five minutes later, Leta ran toward me, panting. "Why didn't you tell me that you were coming?" she questioned urgently, her tone sounding more like one of reproach rather than concern.

She continued, "The consecutive surgeries these few days must have really tired you out. You look terrible today. Don't hang around at the hospital any longer. Let me take you home so you can get some rest."

Leta's eyes were shifty, her expression quite clearly diffident.

She quickly followed up with more questions. "There are many familiar faces here, aren't there? Did you bump into any of your ex-schoolmates or friends?"

I clenched my hands into tight fists, allowing the pain to help me maintain a strained smile. "Nah. I just wanted to see you. Let's go home. Mom said that she made chicken soup specially for you."

Since I denied it, the frown on Leta's face vanished instantly.

On the way home, she chatted with me with a smile on her face, her behavior caring and her voice gentle, making it seem as if I had imagined seeing her in the act of cheating earlier.

Nevertheless, I could no longer feel any affection from the look in her eyes.

What I thought was perfect romance was actually just Leta's act of redemption. How much did she love her other family that she was willing to sacrifice her marriage?