Chapter 2

When Logan had bailed on our wedding, I was left standing there, feeling totally lost and humiliated.

Getting ditched at the altar—who could handle that kind of humiliation?

I was so confused and helpless, with everyone around me laughing at me.

That was when Julian stepped in and said he'd marry me, promising to save my family's reputation and get me out of that embarrassing mess. How could I say no?

Logan shot me a mocking look. "Everyone knows Julian doesn't care about women. He's totally obsessed with his career. He wouldn't even bother to look your way."

Julian was a business prodigy in Jelasburg. Half of the Quinn family's fortune was built up by him alone.

Honestly, I still didn't get why he had chosen to marry me. There were so many prettier and nicer girls out there.

The butler kept trying to persuade Logan. "Sir, it's all true. You can check it online or ask anyone else at home if you don't believe me."

Logan scoffed, grabbed a gardener and a maid, and asked them about it. Both gave him the exact same answer.

Logan's face finally fell, and he glared at me. "Well, Vivian, you're really something. I was away for a few years, and you've got the whole family wrapped around your finger, all working together to fool me!"

I stayed calm, not interested in wasting my breath on him.

I married Julian. Whether Logan believed it or not, I honestly couldn't care less.

Logan had always been spoiled by his family. The butler, worried he'd keep causing trouble, quickly sent someone to call Julian.

Julian had an important aviation project meeting today, so he'd left for the office early.

Logan's grandparents and parents weren't home either. If they were, he wouldn't have had the guts to run his mouth like this.

While the standoff dragged on, Ellie came running into the room. "Mommy, why aren't you coming to play with me yet?"

Logan exploded the moment he saw her.

Ellie was practically my little clone.

Logan's eyes flicked between me and Ellie, and after what felt like forever, his hand shot out, finger trembling as he pointed at me.

"Whose bastard is this?" he asked.

Ellie had picked up Julian's clever streak. She might not know exactly what "bastard" meant, but she could sense it was definitely not a compliment.

She put her tiny hand on her chin, playing the grown-up, and said with attitude, "Who are you calling a bastard? Daddy says if you have a dirty mouth, you're just begging to get smacked."

Ellie was five and knew just about everyone at home, except for Logan, whom she'd never seen before.

Logan shot back, "You little bastard, got a smart mouth on you, huh?"

That pushed me over the edge. Ellie was my child. Who did he think he was, throwing the word "bastard" around like that at my daughter?

"Logan, don't you dare say that again. If you can't keep it clean, don't blame me for what happens next," I snapped.

Yohana was grinning like she was watching the drama of the year. "This kid looks old enough for grade school. Did you get knocked up before you even walked down the aisle with Julian?"

Logan shot me a murderous look.

Nothing got under a man's skin like his wife cheating on him. Especially since I was the one who used to say I loved him with every breath.

I answered calmly, "She's five."

"Vivian, you bitch! I've only been gone six years, and you've already had a kid with someone else? How could you be so shameless?" Logan roared.

Only six years?

Did he even stop to think about how long we'd known each other? And now he just waltzed back in after being gone for "only six years"?

And he was the one who dumped me first.

The butler, seeing things were about to blow up, quickly stepped in. "Sir, this is Julian's child."

Logan blew up. "Shut your mouth, you damn traitor! Where are my parents? Who let her swagger around here like she owns the place? Cheating and still acting so damn righteous!"

"Everybody in the Quinn family knows Ellie. It's no secret," the butler sighed.

When Logan bailed on our wedding, his parents felt so guilty that they didn't object at all when Julian stepped up to marry me.

Logan completely lost it.

He swept his furious eyes over everyone in the room and roared, "Who the hell is the guy messing around with my wife? Does he have a death wish?"

I couldn't help but snort. Logan really thought the world revolved around him.