Chapter 1

"Mom, when is Dad coming back to stay with us?" Joshua Mendoza looked up at me, his little face full of hope.

I ruffled his hair, but all I felt inside was a deep ache.

Once again, Asher Mendoza hadn't come home last night, not that it surprised me anymore.

Yesterday was Tessa Cole's birthday—he took her to Caldrith Bay. And me? I was just his wife in name only, left alone in this enormous Mendoza family with our son, waiting for a man who would probably never come home again.

"Joshua, daddy's been really busy with work lately," I replied softly, forcing a smile he probably saw right through.

But in my heart, I'd always known—Asher never saw this mansion as a home. Five years of marriage, and he hadn't spent a single night in this room.

To him, I was just a means to an end, a convenient vessel for an heir, nothing more than a token of the Mendoza family's marriage deal.

My phone buzzed—a message from Asher: [We have a family dinner tonight. Bring Joshua. Be on time. Remember your role.]

I stared at his icy words, my fingers tightening around the phone.

Every month, these family dinners were my own kind of purgatory. The Mendoza relatives would sing Tessa's praises right in my face, tossing out stories and old memories about her and Asher—like I was just some extra, the one who didn't belong here.

"Mom, are you okay?" Joshua asked, worry showing on his little face.

I took a deep breath and put my phone away. "I'm fine, sweetie. I just miss your dad, that's all."

That afternoon, I carefully dressed Joshua up for the evening. He looked so much like me—delicate features and clear, gentle eyes—but his personality was pure Asher: stubborn, with a streak of pride.

"Mom, is Tessa coming tonight?" Joshua asked.

My hand trembled, nearly messing up his tie. "She probably will."

Joshua frowned. "I don't like her. Every time she's here, Dad ignores us."

His words felt like a knife twisting in my heart. Even at five, Joshua could sense how much Tessa's presence changed things in this house, but Asher still couldn't see past her façade.

At six that evening, I brought Joshua to the main hall of the Mendoza family.

Lily Mendoza sat at the head of the table, while Asher and Tessa were seated side by side, whispering to each other. Their closeness was almost blinding.

"Hi, Grandma," Joshua said sweetly, walking over and giving a little bow.

Lily's face lit up with a warm smile. "My dear great-grandson! Come here, let me have a look at you."

Asher barely spared us a glance, not even bothering to say hello.

"Tessa, look at how well-behaved Joshua is," Lily said, holding Tessa's hand tightly. "If only you had blessed our family with a child a little sooner."

My heart plummeted.

Tessa gave a gentle smile. "Grandma, Joshua has Milania looking after him so well."

But while she spoke, she glanced my way, her eyes glinting with quiet satisfaction. She didn't need to say it aloud that even though I was the one who gave this family their eldest grandson, I'd always be second to her in everyone's eyes.

"Joshua, come here," Asher finally spoke—no trace of warmth in his voice.

Joshua's face lit up as he dashed over. "Dad!"

But with a cold stare, Asher pushed him aside. "Go sit down. Don't make a fuss."

Joshua's smile vanished, and he trudged back to me looking hurt. My heart squeezed for him as I pulled him close, shooting Asher a sharp glare.

"Mr. Mendoza, Joshua just wants to be close to you," I blurted out, unable to hold back.

"Milania, remember where you are," Asher said coldly, his words edged with warning.

'To him, I was always that woman who never knew when to keep quiet.' I thought bitterly.

The air at the dinner table grew heavier. Asher's relatives crowded around Tessa, doting on her like she ruled the house.

"Tessa, you and Asher seem so close—when are you going to surprise us with some big news, hmm?" Delaney Asher, Asher's aunt, teased, eyes twinkling with gossip.

Tessa ducked her head bashfully. "Delaney, please don't tease me like that."

"If it hadn't been for that incident all those years ago, Tessa would've already been Asher's wife," one of the aunts sighed.

I gripped my fork so tightly that my knuckles turned white.

The so-called "incident" they kept bringing up was that night I was framed—five years ago, I was drugged at a business party and ended up with Asher. Afterwards, to protect the Mendoza name, I was forced into this family.

But nobody knew the truth. Tessa had orchestrated the whole thing herself. She wrecked my life, and now she sat here pretending to be the poor victim.

"Mom, I want to go home," Joshua whispered in my ear.

I nodded, about to get up, when Lily's voice rang out, "Milania, come here."

I walked over uneasily, not knowing what kind of trouble she'd put me through next.