Chapter 1
My daughter, Yvonne, was directly admitted to Augustus College. But my husband, Oswald Bond, turned down the government's celebration event and told us to keep a low profile.
I didn't want Yvonne to feel left out, so I took her there myself.
When we arrived, I saw Oswald sitting on stage with Hazel and her son Hanley, looking as if they were one big happy family.
The reporters asked them how they raised their kids.
Hazel took Oswald's hand and said shyly, "I'm not that bright, but Oswald's the principal. He tutors Hanley every day, so Hanley was lucky enough to get that special spot at Augustus College."
Everyone kept saying how perfect they were together. Hazel looked at Oswald like he hung the moon, and Hanley just looked so proud of himself.
I felt like I couldn't breathe.
I pulled out the acceptance letter, and to my shock, the name on it had somehow switched to Hazel's son Hanley Bond.
When it was time for questions, I grabbed the mic myself.
I demanded, "Mr. Bond, does your wife even know you gave the direct admission spot to your secret son?"
*****
As soon as I finished speaking, the crowd erupted into an uproar. Reporters and onlookers started jeering at me.
"Who is she, spouting off like that?"
"She's probably just some obsessed admirer trying to get attention. Mr. Bond is the city's celebrity principal. He single-handedly built that top-tier private school. He's young, successful, and has fans lining up for him."
"She's actually throwing shade right in front of the real Mrs. Bond? That's just shameless."
On stage, Oswald's face flashed with panic the instant he saw me.
But he quickly regained his composure, while Hazel couldn't sit still, fidgeting in her seat.
She wrapped her arm around Oswald's, staking her claim in front of everyone.
Hazel said, "Oswald, how could she smear your name like this in front of everyone?"
I stared Oswald down, refusing to back off as I pressed him even harder.
"Mr. Bond, don't dodge the question. Give me a straight answer," I demanded.
Oswald nervously wiped his brow, then, in front of everyone, deliberately intertwined his fingers with Hazel's, making it clear for all to see.
He said, "Does that even need an explanation?"
Hazel's eyes grew misty with emotion, and she buried herself in Oswald's arms.
The crowd went wild with praise.
"What a stunning couple—smart guy, pretty girl! They're the perfect match."
"Mr. Bond is the total package: handsome, successful, totally devoted to his wife, and even tutors the kids. Seriously, he's just perfect."
Right away, the crowd looked at me with even more disdain.
"She's not just desperate for his attention. She's actually trying to wreck their marriage. Seriously, does she have no shame?"
"Has she even seen herself before trying to snatch Mr. Bond away from Ms. Pena? Everyone knows Ms. Pena is his right-hand woman. Those two are basically joined at the hip, both at work and in life. No one else even stands a chance."
Just then, Oswald gave me a subtle glance, signaling me to check my phone.
On my screen popped up a message he'd just sent.
[Honey, don't misunderstand. Hanley's a smart, well-behaved kid, but he's always missed having a dad around. As principal, I just wanted to help out a talented student, so I agreed to play the role of his father for his graduation ceremony.
[But why couldn't you just stay home as I asked? Now you've embarrassed me in front of everyone. Go home and reflect on yourself!]
I scoffed.
Oswald always acted like such an alpha male. Ever since he married into my family, I went out of my way to stroke his ego, pulling strings to get him appointed principal of Greenlake High.
To keep up his image, I handed him all the power, while I stayed behind the scenes, quietly supporting him.
But now, it was like he'd forgotten how he even landed that job.
Greenlake High only rose to become the city's top school in just five years because it had the backing of Snyder Group, founded by my dad. And I hold 80% of its shares.
I quickly typed out a few messages and sent them to the PR director and legal counsel at Snyder Group.
Today, I was going to publicly slap Oswald in the face.
Yvonne couldn't take everyone turning things upside down, so she burst out and snapped at them, "Are you all blind? Mr. Bond is my dad.
"My mom is his real wife, and Hazel is just the homewrecker, the other woman who came between my parents."