Chapter 1
As soon as she closed the car door, the world’s noise vanished.”
Jessica Greene stared at the liver cancer diagnosis in her lap, her hazel eyes rimmed red. The paper trembled in her hands, crumpling beneath her grip.
The doctor had told her she’d missed the window for surgery–six months left, at best.
Today was the school’s annual parent–child event. Out of the blue, Timothy Lawson had told her she should come.
Seven years had passed since the day Timothy, once the untouchable darling of high society, became her husband.
In all those years, he’d never once brought her to a public event.
Once upon a time, that invitation would have sent her over the moon.”
Even the housekeeper had beamed when she heard the news. “Mrs. Lawson, looks like Mr. Lawson finally wants to make things official!”
No one knew that ever since Jessica discovered his secret, she’d been quietly getting her affairs in order, preparing to leave him.
She hadn’t planned to go to the school event at all.
But she couldn’t bear the thought of disappointing her son.
She could shut Timothy out of her heart, but she couldn’t do the same to Henry–the little boy she’d carried for nine long months.
Arriving at the school, Jessica took a notepad from her purse and wrote a neat line before handing it to the security guard.”
Hello, I’m Henry Lawson’s mom from Class 1-3. I’m
for the parent–child event–could you please let me in??
She had chosen her outfit carefully: a soft, crinkled blouse, hair loosely swept up, and–for the first time in ages–the pearl earrings Timothy had given her.2
Jessica’s beauty was understated to begin with;
effort, she looked warm and graceful.
She knew how kids were. They always wanted their mom to look her best for school events.
The security guard arched an eyebrow. “Can’t you speak?”
Jessica simply smiled and nodded.
She hadn’t been born mute. Years ago, after a devastating trauma, she’d lost her voice. By now, she was used to the question.
The guard pulled out the sign–in sheet, scanning it before giving Jessica a once–over.
Pretty woman, he thought. Too bad she’s mute.
His tone sharpened. “Henry’s parents already signed in. You can’t just pretend to be someone’s mother.”
Jessica frowned and quickly wrote, Henry is my son. There’s no reason for me to pretend.
The guard, exasperated, shoved the sign–in sheet toward her and jabbed a finger at Henry’s name. “Take a good look!“}
Jessica’s heart seized as she read the names in the parent signature column.
She’d grown used to the sneers and sideways glances that came with her silence.
1
But today, her chest felt impossibly tight.
It wasn’t the guard’s suspicion that stung.
It was the name scrawled in Timothy’s unmistakable hand–Sheila Howard.}
He wasn’t even trying to hide it anymore.”
She’d never met Sheila, but once, while tidying Timothy’s study, she’d found a slip of paper tucked beneath the desk. Sheila’s name had been scribbled over and over. A woman’s intuition had told her everything she needed to know.
So Sheila’s last name was Howard.?
When their son was born, Timothy had insisted on the name Henry–another H.)
Today, everything finally clicked. Today, Jessica’s decision to divorce became absolute.
For months, apart from caring for Henry, she’d poured her remaining strength into this one thing.
She’d visited several law firms. But the moment the attorneys heard Timothy’s name, their politeness turned chilly. They’d usher her out the door.
It almost didn’t matter anymore. In six months, she’d be gone from this world. Her marriage to Timothy would dissolve on its own.
At least she wouldn’t have to bother with a lawyer.”
Back at the house, the pain in her abdomen flared.”
The doctor had warned her–livers don’t feel pain until it’s too late.!
Jessica reached for her phone, meaning to look up more about her illness, only to find it dead.”
Once it charged and powered up, she saw the parents‘ group chat overflowing with notifications.
She clicked it open.
There was Henry, both his ankles tied with bright red ribbons, each one fastened to Timothy’s and Sheila’s.
Henry was grinning from ear to ear.
Even Timothy, usually so reserved, had a faint smile on his lips. His dark eyes, always cold and distant, had softened.
He stood tall and elegant, every feature carved with striking precision. Even the casual movement of his hand spoke of effortless privilege.}]
Jessica had seen him command a boardroom, dazzling and magnetic. She’d fallen for him at first sight, only to fall deeper with every glance.
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But how much of that warmth had ever truly been for her?”
And then there was Sheila–a simple dress, skin pale as porcelain, every inch the picture of gentle, upper–class sophistication.
In the video, as their ankles tangled and they tumbled to the ground, Timothy’s perfect composure cracked. He caught Sheila firmly around the waist, eyes wide with
concern.
There were more photos, too–moments snatched from the day, impossible to unsee.}
“Henry’s parents are such a perfect pair.”
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