Chapter 2

Julian lowered his voice, his tone sharp and full of unearned rage.

"If I lied, it's because of you! If you were as gracious and understanding as other women, would I need to hide things from you?"

"I just didn't want you overthinking. Look at you, throwing a tantrum like a lunatic. This is exactly why I didn't tell you."

Suddenly, a loud cry broke through the air.

Mia was sprawled on the floor, her knee gashed and bleeding against the sharp edge of a desk.

My heart stopped. I rushed forward and pulled her into my arms.

The culprit stood nearby, grinning maliciously.

"Serves you right, you little liar! Who said you could call my dad yours? Don't you have a dad? You're so shameless trying to steal mine!"

Julian walked over.

Mia looked up at him through tears, her tiny voice shaking. "Daddy... I'm not a liar. Tell him... tell him you're my daddy."

Julian looked down at her with nothing but cold detachment.

Then he turned away, lifting Vanessa's son into his arms.

"Stop calling me that. I am not your father. I don't have a daughter. Leo is my only son."

Hearing that, Leo taunted her even louder.

"Liar! You have no daddy! Liar, with no daddy!"

Ever since Julian's first love came back with her kid, he had neglected us constantly for their sake.

He never acknowledged me as his wife in public.

He even took Vanessa as his plus-one to high-profile charity galas.

He always claimed she was a struggling single mother and needed the networking opportunities to build a career.

Because of that, the entire social circle assumed they were married.

Before today, I endured it all because I loved him, as long as I could stay by his side.

But now, they were tormenting my daughter.

I wasn't going to swallow it anymore.

"Julian Hayes. Say it again. Are you, or are you not, my daughter's father?"