Chapter 3

To make Audrey feel better, they had willingly allowed that fake DNA test to destroy me, stepping on Chloe and me without a shred of mercy.

Thinking of this, I swallowed my rising emotions and tested the waters.

"What if... there was a problem with that DNA test? What if the report is fake?"

My mother paused for a second.

"The evidence is clear. Are you still trying to lie your way out of this?"

My father looked at me with cold, dead eyes.

"So many people saw it. You have completely disgraced the Harlow family name."

"A DNA test isn't enough proof for you? What do you want? Do we need to catch you in bed with another man for you to admit it?"

A bone-chilling cold swept through me.

They knew. They knew everything was a lie.

Yet, they still cursed me with such venomous words, throwing the label of an unfaithful woman onto my head.

My father frowned, his tone dripping with fake charity.

"Fine. If you really want to stay here, you will release a statement tomorrow."

"Publicly admit that you cheated during your marriage, and admit that Chloe is not Julian's child."

"Then, resign from your position at Harlow Group and transfer all your remaining shares to Audrey unconditionally."

I could hardly believe my ears. My voice shook violently.

"You want me to admit to what?"

"Chloe is not a bastard!"

My mother didn't even look up. "An imposter's child is just another cheap fake. What else could she be?"

A loud buzz filled my brain. Something inside me shattered completely.

Just then, footsteps sounded from the stairs.

Audrey walked down, her eyes red, looking like a frightened little lamb.

"Dad, Mom, please don't be like this..."

She looked at me, her voice incredibly gentle.

"Gemma, I know you're hurting, but our parents are getting old, and the Harlow family has a reputation to protect."

"You can't drag everyone down just because of your messed-up private life."

"Just apologize first. Once the drama dies down, we'll still be a family."

She then looked down at Chloe, her eyes filled with fake sympathy.

"As for whether the child is Julian's biological daughter..."

"Julian is such a good man. He won't hold a grudge against you forever."

Before I could speak, my parents lost their patience.

They ordered the maid to throw my bags out.

"We raised you for twenty years. We wanted to leave you with some dignity."

"Since you refuse to admit your mistakes, don't ever come back to the Harlow house."

By the time we left the estate, the night was pitch-black and freezing.

Chloe curled up in my arms, her eyes swollen and red, not saying a single word.

I stroked her hair, thinking she was just exhausted, and quickly looked for a place to stay.

When I walked into the hotel lobby, I looked like an absolute mess.

"Hi, I'd like to book a suite, please."

I handed over my credit card.

The receptionist swiped it and looked up at me.

"I'm sorry, ma'am. This card has been frozen."

My heart dropped. I quickly pulled out my personal debit card.

But to my horror, even my own savings had been cleared out.

My fingers turned cold. I felt a wave of intense nausea.

Julian had really gone this far.

He didn't just want me to bow down; he wanted to cut off my every means of survival.

The receptionist's voice was flat. "Ma'am, do you still want to book?"

My throat tightened. I quickly called my best friend, Serena.

"Serena, can you lend me some money? Or just book a room for us? I need to get Chloe into a room for the night."

There was a long silence on the other end before she whispered, "Gemma, it's not that I don't want to help you."

"But my family's company is trying to close a major deal with Vance Enterprises right now. Your scandal is too huge. If I get involved, our company might suffer."

Before she could finish, I already understood.

I hung up. Looking at my reflection in the polished marble floor, I found it hilarious.

I had lived for twenty-six years, and yet, I had absolutely nothing.

The only person left by my side was my daughter.

But in the next second, Chloe's body swayed, and she collapsed into my arms.