Chapter 1

I had known Adrian Foster for eight years and had been married to him for six when I finally got what I’d longed for: a child.

Then, I learned that he already had a two-year-old son with a famous actress, Chloe Shaw.

Did that mean all the years of sweet memories between us had been nothing but a lie?

…

I had no idea how long I sat outside, lost and hollow, until a sudden downpour jolted me awake. Soaked through, I stumbled into a nearby mall for shelter.

There she was—Chloe Shaw. Her giant advertisements covered every wall, her arrogant half-smile mocking me, taunting my naivety.

Back when Adrian and I got engaged, rumors swirled that the bride-to-be joining the Foster family empire was none other than Chloe.

However, Adrian had scoffed at the idea. "Lauren Hayes, don’t listen to that nonsense. A little starlet could never step foot into our family."

He’d held me close, his gaze unwavering. "You’ll be the only wife I’ll ever have."

He’d called it protection when he insisted our wedding be small, stripped of guests and ceremony. "The Foster name draws too many enemies in business. For your safety, it has to be simple. One day, I’ll make it up to you with the grandest wedding the world has ever seen."

Even our marriage certificate had been handled quietly by his assistant.

Now, the doctor’s words and the nurse’s gossip pounded in my ears like nails. A terrifying suspicion clawed its way into my chest.

I carried that dread to a lawyer we’d worked with for years. My voice trembled as I asked him to verify the marriage certificate.

He checked again and again. His expression tightened with unease. "Ms. Hayes, I’m afraid your marriage certificate is a forgery."

His words crushed the last of my breath.

"From what I know, Mr. Foster’s legal wife is Ms. Shaw. They registered their marriage in Rosemont six years ago. Divorce isn’t possible there. That alone proves how strong their bond must be."

My mind flashed back to the month Adrian had been away "on business" in Rosemont. When he returned, he had surprised me with my favorite dark chocolate. "I missed you so much, Lauren. Next time, I’ll take you to Rosemont myself and buy you the whole chocolate shop if you want."

So that had been their honeymoon.

He never fulfilled his promises to me. On the other hand, he and Chloe already had a son over two years old.

Cold numbness consumed me. I was a joke. A fool. I couldn’t even remember how I made it home.

As I passed the study, I froze at the sound of my name.

Adrian’s mother spoke hesitantly, "Lauren has been in this family for over six years, always dutiful. You not only married Chloe in secret, but now you want to bring her child here for Lauren to raise? Isn’t that going too far?"

Adrian’s voice was low and resolute. "From beginning to end, the only one I’ve ever loved is Chloe. That’s something we’ve all known deep down. If it weren’t for our family needing the Hayes family… forget it. Anyway, I’ve treated Lauren well enough these past few years.

"Lauren is gentle and sensible. If I tell her the boy is adopted, she won’t suspect a thing.

"Besides, Mom, that boy carries Foster blood. He’s the future heir of the Foster Group. Would you really let him grow up outside?

"I’ve made up my mind. No matter who opposes me, I’m bringing Chloe’s son home. I’ll raise him myself."

My legs gave out, and I stumbled back to my room, collapsing onto the floor.

My hand moved instinctively to my belly, to the small life growing inside me, unwanted, unloved. That morning, I’d been so full of joy before the doctor’s visit. I had never imagined my life could crumble in just one day.

Tears streamed endlessly, unstoppable.

Our bedroom was filled with memories: photos Adrian had taken of me and portraits I’d sketched of him. Every single one now revealed itself as part of the elaborate trap he’d woven for me.

What was there left to hold on to?

Footsteps echoed outside. Panic surged. I fled into the bathroom, hands shaking as I unlocked my phone.

I found a long-forgotten contact and typed a message.

"I want to completely disappear from this world."