Chapter 2

"About Harry's parentage," Daniel said, his voice low.

"Xenia, I did some digging. After you left seven years ago, you didn't see anyone else. Harry's six. He was conceived right when we broke up," he said.

My heart skipped a beat. He actually dug into my past.

"Daniel, don't you think you've crossed the line?" I spun around, glaring at him.

"What does my private life have to do with you? Did you ever ask me before checking up on me?" I shot back.

"I just want the truth," Daniel said, with a hint of pain in his eyes as he looked at me.

"Xenia, I didn't have a choice back then. My dad was seriously ill, the company was collapsing, and marrying into the Terry family was the only way out. I thought you would understand where I was coming from," he said.

I scoffed. "Oh, you want me to understand you dumping me on my birthday? Or you getting engaged to someone else right after? Daniel, don't be so selfish." Suddenly, memories from seven years ago hit me hard.

That day, I carefully prepared a birthday dinner, waiting for him to come home.

But he walked in reeking of alcohol and said, "Xenia, let's break up. I'm going to marry Karen."

I asked him what all those years together meant to him.

He told me that feelings couldn't put food on the table and that he needed someone who could truly provide what he required.

Those words stabbed right through my heart, and even now, the ache still hasn't faded.

"I know I messed up," Daniel said, sounding genuinely sorry.

"But I had no choice. Xenia, Harry is my son. It's a fact. Just let me acknowledge him, and I'll compensate you. Name your price, I'll pay whatever you want," he insisted.

"Daniel, do you really think I'm that kind of person?" I was shaking with rage.

"I'm not selling my child. Harry is my son with Jacob. He's got nothing to do with you. If you keep pestering us, I'll call the police," I snapped.

Daniel raised an eyebrow. "Xenia, you really think the cops will believe you? One paternity test and the truth comes out. I'm not here to take Harry away. I just want to recognize him as my son and step up as his dad. After everything we've been through, even if we can't be together, our child shouldn't have to suffer for our mistakes."

"Shut up!" I cut him off, couldn't help but laugh at how ridiculous he sounded.

"Back then, you gave up on us. You should've seen this coming. Now you want to talk about it? It's way too late," I said coldly.

Just then, a kindergarten teacher walked over, curiosity written all over her face. "Hey, Ms. Reed, who's that guy?"

"Just nobody important," I said, grabbing Harry's hand and quickly heading inside. "Thanks. I'll head out now." Sitting in the car, my heart was still racing. I just couldn't settle down.

Daniel's clinginess brought back a flood of bad memories I'd tried so hard to bury.

I grabbed my phone, wanting to call Jacob, but I had no idea how to even start.

After sitting there, stuck for ages, I just shoved my phone back in my bag.

I couldn't let Daniel come between me and Jacob.

That afternoon, I showed up half an hour early to pick up Harry, hoping to dodge any run-ins. But to my annoyance, Daniel was still hanging around.

This time, he wasn't alone. Karen was with him.

Karen strutted over, sizing me up from head to toe. "Xenia, long time no see. Who would've thought after seven years, you'd still look so shabby."

I ignored her and headed straight for the kindergarten entrance.

"Xenia, stop right there," Karen called out, blocking my way.

"I know exactly what you're after. You're just using that kid to get back to Daniel and grab a slice of the Hill family fortune, aren't you?" Karen sneered.

I replied with a cold laugh, "Karen, you seriously overestimate yourself.

"My life is way better than yours. I don't need to fight for anyone else's leftovers."

"Better than me?" Karen scoffed, like I'd just told the world's biggest joke.

"Xenia, don't kid yourself. You live in some middle-class neighborhood, while I'm in the Hill family's mansion and driving a luxury car. What exactly do you have to compare with me?" she sneered.

I gave her a sarcastic look. "Karen, you really think marrying Daniel means you've got everything? Come on, your marriage is just for show. It's all fake, isn't it?"

Karen's face darkened as she shouted, "That's not true. Daniel loves me. ! We have a daughter!"

"Is that so?" I arched a brow. "If he really loves you, why is he so obsessed with whether my son is his? Why can't he get over what happened seven years ago?"

Karen was completely stunned, trembling with fury.

"Xenia, you homewrecker! You're doing this on purpose. You just want to tear my family apart," she spat.

She tried to slap me, and I instinctively took a step back.

I sidestepped her attack, caught her wrist, and squeezed just enough to make her wince in pain.