Chapter 1
My husband had betrayed me, fathering twins with my best friend.
He actually brought her into our home, expecting me to swallow the reality.
Instead of arguing, I went straight to the courthouse and filed for divorce.
He took his new family back to his hometown, eager to claim his prize as the golden boy who finally produced heirs.
His mother, obsessed with getting grandchildren, was beaming from ear to ear.
But the moment she laid eyes on my ex-best friend, her smile froze.
One scream from her was all it took to rip the masks right off those two cheaters.
*****
David Lane pushed the front door open.
Standing right behind him was Olivia Lynn, my best friend.
She was cradling a newborn against her chest, while David carried another in a baby carrier.
They had a pair of twins.
I stared at them, completely frozen.
David gently set the carrier on the entryway console table, as if terrified of disturbing the peace.
In my own house, I suddenly felt like the intruder.
"Emily, have a seat," he said, his voice carrying an eerie calmness.
I didn't move.
I stared at Olivia.
She could not even look at me, keeping her head bowed as she cooed at the bundle in her arms.
The baby was fast asleep, breathing in soft rhythms.
How adorable.
If they were not in my house, they would be even more adorable.
David broke the silence. "She had them. Boy-girl twins. Our babies."
He chose the word "our."
Not "hers and mine."
He walked over, reaching out to take my hand.
I pulled away.
His hand hung awkwardly in the air.
Then he pulled it back, nervously rubbing his palms together.
"Emily, I know this is hard for you to accept right now," David said. "But it is what it is.
"You can't have kids. We've been married for five years, and my mom's been on my case the whole time.
"I need a kid. I need a son. And now, I've got a son and a daughter all in one shot."
He wore a strange smile, looking both proud and relieved.
David said, "Can you not make a scene, okay? This is on me, not Olivia. She didn't have a choice."
Olivia finally looked up, her eyes red and brimming with tears.
She pleaded, "Emily, I'm so sorry. I-I never meant to come between you two. It happened at that class reunion. David got wasted."
The same old excuse.
I had heard lines like that so many times that it made my ears bleed.
I still didn't say a word.
I watched them, like I was sitting through a terrible daytime soap opera.
Noticing I kept quiet, David started pushing his luck.
He grabbed the carrier from the console and placed it on the sofa right next to the baby Olivia was holding.
"Look how cute they are. This is the older brother, Lucas Lane. And the little sister is Livia Lane," David said.
He actually named his daughter Livia after Olivia.
Unbelievable. So typical of him.
David declared, "What I mean is, Olivia's going to be living here from now on.
"She is a single mother with two newborns, and it is going to be hard on her.
"As for you, don't overthink it. You're still Mrs. Lane. Since your job isn't too busy, you can stay home and help take care of the kids. We're still family."
He finished his pitch, his face glowing with expectation as if he were waiting for me to thank him.
Suddenly, it all made sense.
I stood up from the sofa.
David instinctively took a step back, shielding the babies as if I were about to lose my mind.
Olivia tensed up and got to her feet as well.
I didn't even spare them a glance.
I walked straight into the bedroom.
I could hear David letting out a breath of relief behind me.
"See? I told you she would be reasonable. Let her cool off for a bit," he said.
I opened my closet, ignoring the clothes, and unlocked the small safe tucked in the back.
Entering the code, I pulled out my passport, social security card, and our marriage certificate.
Then I walked out.
David and Olivia were huddled over the babies, whispering to each other.
The picture of domestic bliss made my stomach turn.
I tossed the documents onto the coffee table with a sharp thud.
They both jumped in surprise.
"What's that supposed to mean?" David frowned, asking.
"Tomorrow morning, nine sharp," I said, my voice as rough as sandpaper. "Meet me at the courthouse. Bring your ID."
David's expression instantly shifted.
He yelled, "Emily, what are you doing?
"I told you that you get to stay Mrs. Lane.
"I'm letting you stay here out of respect, so don't push your luck."
Olivia was getting anxious, too.
She said, "Emily, please. Don't do this. We-"
"Shut up," I ordered.
I shot her a glare.
"You have no right to use my name," I said.
Olivia's face went pale.
I shifted my focus back to David.
I said, "Nine o'clock. Don't be late. If you don't show up, I am taking you to court.
"You cheated on me and had kids out of wedlock. Let's see how the judge splits the house and the cash.
"You wouldn't want to lose that precious career of yours, would you?"
David stared at me, his eyes swirling with shock, anger, and a deep-seated fear.
He probably never expected his usually compliant wife to utter something so ruthless.
I didn't waste another breath on him.
I went back to the bedroom and pulled out the suitcase I'd packed ages ago.
There was not much inside, a few outfits, my personal documents, and the jewelry my mother left me.
Honestly, very little in this house actually belonged to me.
I dragged the suitcase out, only to find David blocking the front door.
He asked, "Are you really going to do this? You are tearing our family apart over a mistake."
"A mistake?" I shot back.
I let out a dry laugh.
It was the first time I'd smiled all day.
"David, you genuinely make me sick," I said.
I brushed past him and made my way to the door, grabbing the doorknob.
"Oh, I almost forgot to mention. This house was bought with my money before we even got married. So do me a favor and pack up your little family. I want you all out by tomorrow," I said.
I opened the door and walked out, slamming the door behind me to shut out their shocked faces and furious yelling.