Chapter 1

"Your husband withdrew your adoption application yesterday, Mrs. Sterling."

The director's words echoed in the quiet office.

Staring at her across the mahogany desk, I felt the air in the room suddenly grow dangerously thin. "Withdrew? Why?"

"He submitted updated family records." Hesitation flickered in her eyes, heavily laden with uncomfortable pity as she slid a formal printed letter across the desk.

"He stated that since you recently welcomed your own biological son, you no longer meet the priority criteria for infant adoption."

My heart skipped a beat.

Pinned beneath the letter was a photocopy of a birth certificate.

Father: Julian Sterling.

Mother: Chloe Vance.

Chloe. Julian's "indispensable" executive assistant.

No screaming. No tears. Just a terrifying, cold clarity washing over me. Grabbing the papers, I walked out to my car and opened the shared family GPS app.

This morning, Julian had kissed my forehead, claiming he was locked in an emergency European board meeting. Yet, the location pinging on my screen told a different story.

The corporate headquarters were miles away from where his car was actually parked: the exclusive Oak Creek Country Club.

Pushing open the heavy double doors of the VIP banquet hall, the sound of children's laughter hit me like a physical blow.

There was no board meeting.

Hundreds of blue and silver balloons filled the room, framing a massive banner that hung from the ceiling: Happy 3rd Birthday, Leo!

Standing by a three-tiered cake was my husband. Dressed in a relaxed cashmere sweater, Julian was holding a little boy with his exact same gray eyes.

Right beside them stood Chloe.

"Look at him blow out the candles, Julian. He's exactly like you." She smiled, affectionately adjusting the boy's birthday crown.

A kiss was pressed to the boy's cheek. "Of course he is. He's my perfect heir."

My blood ran cold.

Three years old.

"Daddy, I want the big slice!" the boy cheered.

"Anything for you, buddy," came Julian's soft reply. Reaching into his pocket, he handed Chloe a velvet jewelry box. "And this is for you. Thank you for giving me a son."

Gasping at the massive diamond necklace inside, Chloe leaned in and kissed his cheek.

To anyone watching, they were the perfect, loving family.

Retreating into the shadows, I ignored the violent shaking of my hands and pulled out my phone. A high-resolution photo captured their betrayal perfectly.

Then, turning around, I walked away in complete silence.

That night, Julian came home close to midnight.

The faint, sickening smell of sweet birthday cake trailed him into the master bedroom.

"Sorry I'm late, sweetheart," he lied smoothly, placing a kiss on my forehead. "The merger meeting took all day."

A forced smile hid the bile rising in my throat. "It's okay. Go wash up."

The moment he discarded his tie and disappeared into the bathroom, I stepped out onto the dark balcony. Biting cold wind whipped across my face as the photo loaded on my screen.

There it was: the family that had stolen my life.

Suddenly, the sliding glass door scraped open.

I froze.

Fresh out of the shower, Julian stepped onto the balcony with a white towel slung low on his hips.

Stepping uncomfortably close, he wrapped a wet, heavy arm around my waist from behind.

"What are you looking at out here in the dark?" The deep vibration of his voice against my neck made my skin crawl.

His hand reached down to grab my device.

My heart stopped. The screen went black just a fraction of a second before his fingers grazed the glass.

Forcing my muscles to relax, I leaned my weight back into his wet chest.

"A three-year-old boy," I lied, keeping my voice soft and utterly broken. "At the orphanage."

The hand on my phone went entirely still.

"The paperwork was delayed today," I whispered, turning my head to look at him through tear-blurred eyes. "I was just looking at his file. Hoping we could pick him."

Letting a single tear fall, I added, "I just want a baby, Julian."

The casual warmth in his expression vanished. It was replaced by a wave of overwhelming panic, followed instantly by agonizing guilt.

Turning me around, he cupped my face in his warm hands.

"Harper, look at me," came his whispered plea, trembling with terrifyingly genuine emotion.

A kiss pressed to my forehead held all the desperation of a man clinging to his lifeline.

"We don't need a child. If it's this painful for you, we won't adopt," he said, pulling me fiercely against his chest. "I don't care about kids. I just need you. You are my only family."

Resting my chin on his wet shoulder, I stared out into the pitch-black night.

He was holding me so tightly it hurt. Looking right into my eyes, my husband was telling the most beautiful, sickening lie in the world.