Chapter 4

Just then, Chloe’s family walked in with the baby.

Richard took one look at me and sneered. "Today is my grandson’s welcome party, and you show up dressed like a bum?"

"You look like white trash. Why can't you dress like Carter?"

Carter chimed in with a disapproving frown.

"Julian, you’re supposed to be this child’s legal father. How could you put in so little effort?"

Martha scoffed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "What do you expect from a glorified busboy? He probably doesn't even own a decent suit."

Chloe held the baby, her face hardening.

"Julian, stay off the stage today. Don't humiliate us."

"And quit that server job when you get home. Find something that actually pays. That chump change won't even cover diapers!"

With that, they turned and walked off.

I glared at their retreating figures, my whole body trembling with cold fury.

They destroyed my life, belittled me at every turn, and still expected me to foot the bill for their illegitimate bastard?

The sheer audacity.

Fine. I was going to give them a celebration they would never forget.

Soon, relatives and family friends began to file in, greeting me.

"Julian, long time no see! We heard you took down that illegal mining operation! You're a real hero!"

"By the way, isn't this welcome party a bit late? He looks older than a newborn."

I gave a tight smile without answering.

The kid wasn't mine. Of course the timeline didn't add up.

Moments later, the massive LED screens in the hall lit up. A montage of Chloe, Carter, and the baby played on loop. I was nowhere in the video.

One of the guests whispered, "Who’s that guy on the screen? Julian, why aren't you up there?"

I smiled slightly and answered loud enough for several tables to hear:

"Because that man is Chloe’s current partner. And I’m her ex."

The guests gasped, their eyes widening in shock.

Martha told me to tell everyone we were divorced so I wouldn't embarrass them, didn't she?

I was just granting her wish.

Whispers erupted across the room.

Finally, Chloe took the stage with the baby.

Holding the child in one arm and the microphone in the other, she radiated false warmth.

"I believe the greatest happiness in life is walking hand in hand with the one you love."

"And an even greater joy is welcoming a child born of that true love."

Tears glistened in her eyes as she looked lovingly down at Carter.

The guest who had spoken to me earlier couldn't hold back anymore. He shouted, "Don't let just the mom speak! Let the dad come up and say a few words!"

"Wait... is this baby even Julian’s?!"

Chloe’s smile froze instantly.

I grinned, stepped onto the platform, and snatched the microphone right out of her hand.

"Julian, if you say one wrong word, I will divorce you!" she hissed under her breath, her eyes flashing with warning.

I nodded earnestly, as if reassuring her. I wouldn't lie. After all, I was an investigative journalist.

Chloe let out a quiet sigh of relief, thinking I had backed down.

I raised the mic to my mouth and spoke clearly:

"Friends, family—this baby is indeed not mine!"

"His father is Carter! Chloe conceived him behind my back while I was away, sleeping with another man!"

Gasps rippled through the banquet hall. The room descended into chaos.

Chloe lunged for the microphone. Carter, Richard, and Martha charged the stage, trying to tackle me.

I dodged them, whipped out the signed divorce papers from my jacket, and slammed them onto the podium.

"Just because her ex got sick, Chloe aborted our hard-won baby to breed with him! Then she expected me to put my name on the birth certificate and raise another man's kid!"

"As a husband, I refuse to wear that cuckold's collar! And as an investigative reporter dedicated to the truth, I refuse to help them cover up this disgusting farce!"

"Chloe! From this day on, we are completely done!"

Chloe finally wrestled the microphone away, her face pale and tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Julian! Shut up! What are you saying?!"

Richard, Martha, and Carter pinned me down.

Richard’s face was red with murderous rage. He grabbed my collar and forced me against the floor.

"You little bastard! You planned this! You dared to ruin my grandson’s celebration!"

"I'll beat the life out of you right here!"

He raised his heavy fist to slam it into my face.

BAM!

The double doors of the banquet hall were kicked open, and a squad of armed police officers marched in.

"Richard Vance! You are under arrest for conspiracy to commit murder! Put your hands behind your back!"