Chapter 2

Alex's panicked thoughts suddenly echoed in my mind. 'Mom said Dad's watch is fake. Don't answer it. Otherwise, Dad will realize the watch is missing. And Elise will get mad. Dad will blame Mom.'

I stared at the screen as it kept vibrating, my finger hovering over the answer button without pressing it.

*****

I'd been sitting in the pawnshop for ages.

The owner, an elderly man with glasses, examined the watch over and over, then held a magnifying glass to the engraving on the back.

"Patek Philippe Celestial 6102R," he said, pushing up his glasses. "It's worth one million on the market, but without paperwork, the best I can offer is 200 thousand."

"Deal," I said.

I counted the 200 thousand in cash, feeling stunned.

It was enough to cover Alex's preschool years, rent a decent place, and free me from that fish-smelling stall.

However, the anger in my chest just kept growing.

Gabe, you were out there in custom suits and a one-million-dollar watch while I walked to work to save a couple of bucks. Did you want to test if I was a gold digger? Fine. I'd show you.

I took Alex to the most upscale mall in the city.

The chandeliers were almost blinding. I walked straight into the kids' store and pointed at the limited-edition sneakers Alex had looked at a hundred times. "We'll take those. Biggest size."

The saleswoman glanced at the mud on my pants, her smile barely holding together. "Ma'am, these are 3 thousand—"

I swiped my card without saying a word.

Alex slipped on his new sneakers and took cautious steps in front of the mirror, his face glowing with a happiness I never thought possible.

His thoughts echoed in my mind. 'Mom is awesome. Dad always said this kind of thing was unnecessary.'

Unnecessary? Screw it.

"Vanessa?" A voice I knew well sounded behind me.

My whole body went tense.

I turned around, only to see Gabe standing there in a perfectly tailored gray coat, an Hermès bag in his hand, frowning at the sneakers on Alex's feet.

He looked at my face for a second, then at the shoes. His expression tightened. "How did you—"

"How could I afford it, right?" I picked up Alex, my smile soft and calm. "Borrowed money. I'm already buried in debt anyway. One more pair of shoes won't make a difference."

Gabe let out a sigh of relief. He stepped forward and tried to ruffle Alex's hair, but I shifted aside before he could touch him.

"Vanessa." He lowered his voice, his face showing that same exhausted yet tender look I'd seen a thousand times. "I've been barely getting by lately. The company is in liquidation. The house is gone.

"But I'm doing everything I can. Once I get back on my feet, I'll make it up to you. To both of you."

He was really putting on a show. His eyes were bloodshot, like he'd cried himself hoarse.

If I hadn't heard Alex's angry thoughts echoing in my mind, I might have actually believed him.

He said, 'Liar. Dad was on the phone with Elise yesterday, saying his broke ex-wife with a kid was the perfect way to test if she really loved him.

'Mom, he said you were too proud to ever guess he's actually rich. He also said you probably looked worn out now.'

I clenched my fists, keeping my smile steady. "Is that so? Well, take care of yourself. I don't want to see you starve."

Gabe was caught off guard for a moment. He obviously didn't expect me to keep my cool.

"What's that on his wrist?" Gabe asked, eyes locked on the red bracelet wrapped around Alex's wrist.

It was knotted intricately, with a tiny charm dangling from it. I'd pulled it out along with the rest of our stuff from the waterproof bag.

"Picked it up at a random stall," I replied, quickly hiding Alex's hand behind my back.

Gabe's gaze sharpened. He recognized it instantly. That red bracelet was actually the VIP tag for Ducern Private Bank. He'd shown it to me last year, saying he'd get me one when he finally struck it rich.

He suddenly lowered his voice. "Vanessa, where did you get the money? Is there a man helping you?"

His thoughts echoed in my mind. 'Did she find herself a sugar daddy? No wonder she's suddenly loaded. That red bracelet looks familiar.'

I nearly laughed out loud. He was dripping in designer brands, but the first thing he thought was that I must be trading myself for money.

"Take a guess." I scooped Alex up. "People like us don't need your concern, Mr. Myers. After all, you can barely afford a meal these days, right?"

Gabe froze for a second.

"Oh, one more thing," I said, taking a couple of steps and glancing back. "Alex's birthday is next week. Do you want to come?"

He instantly slipped into his usual caring face. "Of course. I was thinking of taking him to an amusement park, spending some time together. After all, I'm his father."

However, inside, his thoughts were cold as ice. 'Perfect chance to yank a few hairs for a DNA test. Elise keeps saying this kid doesn't look like me. What if he's some random brat?'

I hugged Alex even tighter. "Sure, we'll talk then."

As I turned and walked out of the mall, the wind cut right through me. My legs nearly gave out beneath me.

Alex whispered in my arms, "Mom, why is Dad lying?"

I ran my fingers over the red bracelet on his wrist, but I stayed silent.

My phone buzzed. It was a message from Gabe. [Vanessa, don't forget about the amusement park. I really miss Alex.]

Right after, Alex's voice pierced my mind again, filled with the kind of fear only a child could have. 'Don't go. Dad wants to steal my DNA and give it to Elise so she can see if it matches her brother.

'She said her brother needs a kidney. They want to take mine.'

I stood at the entrance of the mall, staring at my ghostly pale face reflected in the glass.

Turned out it wasn't just my son he wanted to take. He wanted his organs, too.

I texted back: [Sorry. Alex has a cold. He can't make it.]

I hit send, then blocked him.

I carried my feverish son back to the apartment I was renting and shut the door, securing every lock.

Alex lay on the bed, his face burning red with fever.

I tried to bring his fever down, gave him medicine, and watched him slowly fall asleep.

His thoughts kept coming through in bits and pieces, like a radio with bad reception. 'Dad's study... the safe... Mom's property papers... Elise said they wanted to give my kidney to her brother.'

The towel slipped out of my hand and dropped onto the floor.

When we got divorced, Gabe told me the house had been mortgaged to the bank, and I believed him. I left with nothing.

That place had been left to me by my parents before they passed away. Even though only the down payment had been made, it was still in my name.

Turned out Gabe had it the whole time.

I leaned close to Alex and whispered, "Alex, where's Dad's study? What does the safe look like?"

Alex frowned in his sleep. 'It's at Dad's house, behind his desk. The password is Elise's birthday, 0520.'

Oh, Elise's birthday. That was so damn romantic.