Chapter 1

My husband, Nathan Moore, and I had been married for years. I was finally pregnant, but I still hadn't had the chance to tell him the good news.

He told me he was out of town for an art show, but I found him right here, holding a kid in his arms.

Standing next to him was a woman whose face was full of tenderness, and she was holding both of them close.

I rushed over angrily, ready to demand an explanation, but before I could say anything, the frail-looking woman passed out right there.

The kid was wailing and screaming, and then she head-butted me as hard as she could.

Nathan yelled at me, "Emma, if anything happens to her, you'll pay for it!"

He rushed off with the woman in his arms, not even sparing me a glance.

And I could feel the baby inside me slipping away, bit by bit.

I went to the hospital alone and had the surgery.

Since he already had a child, there was no reason for me to stay in this marriage anymore. Divorce was the only option left for me.

*****

I stood there frozen, staring in disbelief. On a park bench, the three of them were cuddled together like the perfect little family. I could see a genuine smile on Nathan's face.

He looked completely at ease, truly content.

Wasn't Nathan supposed to be out of town right now, attending some big art show opening? I found myself moving a little closer, unable to stop myself, as a child's innocent voice drifted to me with the crisp autumn breeze.

"Daddy, can you stay with us a little longer? Mommy misses you so much that she can't even sleep at night," the girl said.

Nathan gave the blushing woman a teasing look, pulled her close, and kissed her. "You really missed me so much that you couldn't fall asleep?"

The woman gave Nathan a playful punch on the chest, still blushing. "Nathan, do you really believe what a kid says?"

Nathan chuckled, glancing at the girl. "Looks like Lily got it wrong. Your mommy doesn't miss me at all, so I guess I'll just have to head home then."

Lily's face twisted in protest at the word "home". "Daddy, your real home is with Mommy and me. You can't run off to some other bad woman!"

Those words, "bad woman", stabbed through my eardrums, making my heart race violently.

I fumbled in my bag for my phone and called Nathan with my trembling hands.

Not far away, Nathan pulled out his phone, the irritation clear on his face.

But his voice stayed soft. "Honey, what's wrong?"

I stood there, catching the look of disdain on his face, and an overwhelming sense of emptiness washed over me.

My voice came out hoarse. "Nathan, when are you coming home?"

He was putting the call on speaker, so Lily heard me, too.

Lily pouted and tugged at Nathan's sleeve.

Nathan gave her a gentle pat on the head and chuckled. "Honey, do you miss me?

"Just a few more days. Once the show kicks off, I'll be back. Want me to bring you anything?"

I bit down hard on my lip, trying my best not to storm over and ruin their picture-perfect family moment.

Suddenly, the wind picked up.

The woman next to Nathan had her long hair blown all over the place by the wind.

Nathan lowered his eyes, turned to her, and fixed her hair for her gently.

He looked up for a second, and then our eyes locked. I was standing there, clutching my phone, and crying my eyes out.

We all froze.

The woman quickly scooped up Lily and ducked behind Nathan.

Her voice was shaky. "Emma, it's not like what you think. There's nothing between Nathan and me."

I glared at her with a cold, hard stare.

Nathan's brows furrowed as he pulled the woman and Lily protectively to his side.

The woman's eyes filled with tears in an instant, and she clung to Nathan's sleeve like she was the real victim here, refusing to let go.

Nathan looked at me, his voice coming out hoarse. "Honey, can we go home first?"

They stood there together like a happy family, while I felt like nothing but an intruder, the one messing up their perfect moment.

I scoffed, refusing his request. "Just talk right here."

Nathan stared at me for a long moment, finally forcing out a few words. He said he and Caroline Lane were college classmates, and after a reunion, they both got way too drunk and ended up sleeping together.

He claimed it was all because of the alcohol. They were so out of it that they mistook each other for someone else. He said he thought Caroline was me.

Hearing him try to dodge responsibility, I actually laughed out loud. "So let me get this straight. You both supposedly had someone else in your hearts, but you still hooked up and somehow ended up with such a big kid?

"Nathan, do you really think I'm that stupid?"

Nathan couldn't even meet my eyes, dodging my glare.

This was just ridiculous.

He knew damn well how unbelievable his story sounded, but he still went with that lame excuse, thinking I'd actually buy it.