Chapter 1
Seven years after our breakup, I ran into Daniel Hill at the entrance of a kindergarten.
He was bent over, helping a little girl with her backpack. When he looked up and saw me, his eyes widened in surprise.
"Xenia? What are you doing here?" he asked.
"Picking up my son," I replied coolly, not wanting to chat.
Seven years ago, he dumped me on my birthday for his family's marriage alliance, then immediately got engaged to Karen Terry, the heiress from the Terry family.
Those gut-wrenching days had long faded into insignificance, just another chapter the years had erased.
Daniel frowned, staring at the kid in my arms. For a moment, he looked completely stunned.
"Xenia, how old is he?" Daniel asked.
"Six," I answered without thinking.
As soon as I said it, Daniel's face drained of all color.
He suddenly grabbed my wrist, holding on tight. "Xenia, tell me. He's my kid, isn't he?"
I jerked my hand free. There was no reason I needed to explain anything to Daniel.
"Don't kid yourself, Mr. Hill. Have some decency," I said coldly.
*****
"No way!" Daniel growled, making the other parents stare.
"His eyes, his smile look just like mine. You vanished seven years ago. Was it because you were pregnant?" he demanded.
I was pregnant back then, but the baby didn't make it.
After the breakup, I was diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy and nearly bled to death. Jacob Dunlop, my husband, was the one who pulled me back from the brink and stood by me through the darkest moments.
"Am I just making things up?" Daniel snapped, reaching for Harry's face, his emotions all over the place.
"Xenia, you kept him from me for seven years. Why did you hide him?" he demanded.
Harry flinched, pressing himself against me, his voice shaky.
"Mommy, who is that man? He's scary," he whispered.
"I don't know him," I said, soothing Harry with a gentle pat, and started to walk away.
But Daniel blocked our way, his tone softening, almost begging.
"Xenia, I know I hurt you back then. But the kid's innocent. Let me claim him as mine, okay? I can give you both a life that's a hundred, a thousand times better than what you have now," he said.
He looked at me with that patronizing confidence, as if I was still the penniless student who revolved around him seven years ago.
I laughed, and Daniel stared at me, completely confused.
"Mr. Hill, did you forget? Seven years ago, you chose Karen's family, not me. I'm doing just fine now, and I don't need your charity," I replied.
Daniel's face darkened even more. He was about to say something when his daughter suddenly tugged at his sleeve.
"Daddy, Mommy's waiting for us over there," she said.
I followed her finger and spotted Karen standing by a sleek luxury car not far away, her gaze icy as she watched us.
She looked even more glamorous than she did seven years ago, dripping with jewels, and her expression was even more cutting and cold.
Daniel finally realized all the attention we were getting. He gave me a hard glare. "Xenia, this isn't over. I'll find out the truth."
With that, he scooped up his daughter and headed straight for Karen, not even glancing back.
Karen shot me a look full of hostility and contempt, like she thought I was beneath her.
I ignored her completely, took Harry's hand, and slowly walked toward our neighborhood.
"Mommy, is that man really my dad?" Harry asked, tilting his face up at me.
"Of course not," I replied, kneeling down and looking at him seriously.
"Your dad is Jacob, the one who tells you stories, takes you to the amusement park, and is always there for you. You know that, right?" I said softly.
Harry nodded, not really getting it, but agreeing anyway. "Yeah! Daddy's my favorite."
When we got home, Jacob was already back from work.
He was in the kitchen, apron on, busy cooking. When he heard the door open, he poked his head out.
"Hey, honey, Harry. You're home. Wash up, dinner's almost ready," he called out.
He walked over, took the cake from my hands, kissed my forehead, and ruffled Harry's hair. "Were you good at kindergarten today?"
"I was super good! Daddy, I drew a picture for you," Harry said, grabbing Jacob's hand and running off to his room.
Watching Jacob and Harry together, my heart melted a little.
Daniel showing up was like tossing a stone into a calm lake; it stirred things up for a bit, but soon everything would go back to normal.
I thought things would settle down, but Daniel was nowhere near done with me.
The next morning, when I brought Harry to kindergarten, I saw Daniel standing right at the entrance.
His eyes were bloodshot; he clearly hadn't slept a wink.
"Xenia, we need to talk," he said, blocking my way, his tone brooking no refusal.
"I have nothing to say to you," I said, sidestepping him and heading inside.