Chapter 3

Toby instinctively shot back, but then he realized we had a few times.

I caught every flicker of emotion on his face and shot back at Toby, "What's wrong, honey? Not happy?"

Realizing he'd overreacted, Toby nodded quickly. "Yeah, I'm happy. I just remembered I've got something to take care of at the dean's office, so I won't be able to walk you back, honey. I'll head out now."

With that, Toby didn't even wait for me to respond before striding out of the lab without a second thought.

Bet he was off to figure out how to smooth things over with his little side chick.

I sat in the school's main surveillance room, watching their every move unfold on the screens.

Toby chased after Summer all the way to the infirmary. When he found Summer completely falling apart, he locked the door behind him.

He pinned her against the wall, trying to explain himself. "Baby, please, just listen to me. I swear, I didn't do anything with her."

"Then how did she end up pregnant?" Summer snapped. "You promised me you'd never sleep with her. This is cheating! I'll never forgive you for this."

I actually burst out laughing at what Summer said. She actually called my normal married life with my husband 'cheating'.

And Toby didn't even think anything was wrong. He was just bending over backwards to comfort her.

"It was just a mistake, I swear. I was drunk, and the only reason it happened was because I thought she was you... You're the only one I love," Toby pleaded, his voice full of regret.

Summer was sobbing in his arms like her whole world had just come crashing down. "Liar! You're such a liar! Maybe I should go find someone else too."

"Don't you dare," Toby shot back. Before she could finish, Toby crashed his lips onto hers, shutting her up in an instant.

Once the kiss ended, Toby went right back to sweet-talking her. "Come on, be a good girl.

"When your graduation rolls around, I'll let you be a co-author on a research paper. Bonus credit, guaranteed. That'll make sure you get into grad school, alright?"

The moment she heard the offer, Summer's mood flipped and she threw her arms around Toby. "Looks like I owe you a special thank you, Toby."

Watching the two of them getting it on in the infirmary, I let out a cold scoff.

Cheating on me and now pulling academic fraud? That was just crossing every line. The principal next to me saw it all and totally lost it.

"Toby has zero morals as a teacher! He's fired, effective immediately," the principal snapped. "And that student? Trying to scam her way into grad school? She can kiss her diploma goodbye."

I motioned for him. "Copy the surveillance footage for me. I've got a big surprise planned for them at graduation. Just be ready to back me up when the time comes.

"Once it's all set, I'll have my dad donate another building to the school."

The principal immediately agreed and handed me a USB drive.

For the next few days, Toby was busting his ass ghostwriting a research paper for Summer, barely thinking about anything else.

The moment he walked in the door, Toby had hole in his study. Even when our daughter tried to talk to him, he barely gave her the time of day, acting all businesslike.

"Daddy's working, sweetie. Go play by yourself, okay?" he said, without even glancing her way.

I scooped our daughter up and carried her into the bedroom. She was still so little, and I didn't want her getting caught up in our drama.

But as soon as we got into bed, she suddenly started crying. "Mommy, does Daddy not want me anymore?" she sobbed.

I instantly panicked and asked, "Sweetie, why would you say that?"

She kept sobbing, and it took her a long moment before she could finally get the words out.

She whimpered, "I... I was playing with my blocks next to Daddy, and I heard him call someone else 'baby.' Isn't Daddy only supposed to have me as his baby?"

My daughter was just starting elementary school and already knew a few words.

But Toby didn't even try to cover it up around her. No wonder she'd been so down lately, always clinging to Toby after school.

'That bastard!' I cursed him again in my head.

Once I'd dried her tears, I asked softly, "Sweetie, if Mommy and Daddy ever split up, who would you want to live with?"

My daughter looked up at me with wide eyes, gripping my hand like she was afraid to let go. "I want Mommy. When I was sick, Daddy didn't even care.

"Daddy has another baby now, so I don't want him anymore either."

Even our daughter could feel how distant Toby had become from the family.

These past few days, I'd already worked with a lawyer to legally transfer all my assets.

No way in hell was I letting those two cheating bastards get a single cent from me.

*****

Graduation day finally arrived. The whole school, students and teachers alike, had gathered for the ceremony.

Wanting as many people as possible to witness her moment in the spotlight for getting into grad school, Summer not only invited her parents and relatives but also started a live stream on her social media account.

The keyword "hot girl genius" quickly went viral, drawing a flood of viewers into her livestream.

The livestream chat was blowing up with envy and praise.

[God really gave her everything—she's not just pretty, she's smart too.]

[Publishing in SSCI journals as an undergrad? Total boss moves. Her future's gonna be crazy bright.]

Summer's parents watched the compliments roll in on the screen, their faces glowing with pride.

Unable to hold back, they leaned into the camera to chime in. "Our Summer's been a star student since she was little, never gave us a single headache.

"Even in college, she's been covering all her own expenses."