Chapter 1

I have been secretly married to my billionaire husband for six years. He has never been willing to reveal my identity or our son's to the public.

During a kindergarten family day, he became "Daddy" in another child's eyes.

My son clutched his activity card, standing frozen.

He whispered, "Mommy, why can Uncle Ethan be that boy's daddy, but not mine?"

I didn't answer.

I just walked into the principal's office and signed his transfer papers.

I decided to get a divorce and take my son away forever.

This time, no matter how much Ethan regrets it, my son and I will never look back.

"Mrs. Vance, the transfer papers you requested are ready."

"Are you sure you want to finalize this now?"

The principal sat behind her desk, looking at me with a hint of hesitation.

Outside the window, bursts of laughter from the playground drifted into the office.

Today was Pre-K Family Day.

Just moments ago, Leo was standing by my side, eagerly staring at the entrance.

Until Ethan Carter showed up.

Before I could even react, a little boy rushed into his arms, looking up and shouting, "Daddy!"

Ethan leaned down, patiently wiping the sweat from the boy's forehead, and scooped him up into a warm hug.

Chloe Jenkins stood beside them. The three of them looked exactly like a picture-perfect family.

Meanwhile, my son stood next to me. He watched the scene in a daze, his tiny hands tightening around his activity card until the paper crumpled.

After what felt like an eternity, he looked up and whispered, "Mommy, why is Uncle Ethan being someone else's daddy?"

At that moment, the words choked in my throat.

I simply turned around and walked into the principal's office.

"Process the transfer now, please."

"Mrs. Vance, if you want to think about it for a bit longer..."

"There's no need."

I picked up the pen and signed my name on the final line of the form.

My name was the only one on that line. It had always been just me.

I handed the form back to the principal.

"Also, please keep this confidential. I don't want anyone to know about Leo's transfer until we actually leave."

The principal stared at me for a moment before finally nodding. "Alright. I understand."

The moment I stepped out of the office, I ran straight into Ethan and Chloe.

Ethan was my boss, and more importantly, the father of my child.

Seven years ago, I was his executive assistant. After a wild, drunken night, we ended up having a baby.

This year marked the sixth year of our secret marriage.

It was also the sixth year he forced our son to call him "Uncle Ethan."

Ethan had one hand around Chloe's waist while the other held the little boy's hand. The scene was so sweet it burned my eyes.

As we crossed paths, I couldn't help but speak up. "Ethan..."

He stopped in his tracks, his expression instantly turning icy.

"Miss Vance."

His polite, distant tone carried a sharp warning, as if reminding me: *We aren't close.*

I understood his silent threat perfectly and swallowed my emotions.

I let out a bitter, silent laugh. I had actually wanted to ask him to spend one last birthday with our son.

But what was the point? He wouldn't care anyway.

My phone screen lit up. It was a text from my son's smartwatch.

[Mommy, did you tell Daddy to come home for my birthday tonight?]

I froze, instinctively looking back.

I saw Ethan leaning down, gently talking to Chloe's son.

The tenderness in his eyes was unmistakable.

Swallowing the bitterness in my throat, I sent Ethan a text message anyway.

[Today is Leo's birthday. You promised you'd celebrate with him tonight.]

I saw Ethan pick up his phone. He glanced at it for less than three seconds, set it back down, and showed absolutely no reaction.

Staring at the silent chat screen, I smiled mockingly at myself.

*Nora, what are you still expecting from a husband whose heart belongs to another woman?*

I slid my phone back into my pocket, took a deep breath, and walked away.

*Ethan, soon enough, you'll only have one son left.*