Chapter 2

2.

Julian got out of his car in front of the private school, waiting for Leo. Chloe sat in the passenger seat, bored, touching up her makeup.

When Leo ran out, Julian held him. Leo began to beg for a new toy, but Chloe said impatiently, "Just take him home. I have a dinner date with my girls."

Julian's smile stiffened slightly as he held his son. "I promised Leo we'd get him a toy. It won't take long."

Chloe slammed the car door shut. "Then go. I'm leaving first."

Leo watched the car drive away, his eyes turning red. "Daddy, does Mommy not like me?"

Julian smiled and tapped Leo's nose gently. "Don't think like that, buddy. Your mom is just worried that buying toys will distract you from your schoolwork."

I quickly adjusted my expression, held the toy I had prepared, and walked over, pretending it was a chance encounter.

"Hello, Mr. Sterling. I'm your new supplier."

Julian gave me a polite, professional smile.

He didn't recognize me. His warmth was guarded, carrying the typical distance of a wealthy businessman.

Back when my parents brought me back to the city, they never allowed me to attend any public events. That night when they drugged us and put us in the same bed, we were both too wasted to remember each other's faces.

But I knew him.

I knew him better than anyone else did!

When the Sterling family was starting to rebound, my parents had tried to "negotiate" with me. They wanted me to give birth to the child and hand him over to Chloe so she could marry Julian.

But why?

I was their daughter, too.

When the Sterlings were broke, they were terrified Chloe would suffer, so they tricked me into getting pregnant with a stranger's child.

It took me so long to accept my pregnancy. But the moment the Sterlings got rich again, my parents changed their minds and forced me to give up my own flesh and blood!

Of course, I refused. But by then, I realized that my parents only cared about Chloe. If I wanted to save my baby and get their validation, the only way was to win Julian over.

While I was locked in my room back then, I used every resource I had to gather information about Julian.

I learned everything about his past, his likes, and his dislikes.

For a long time, he was my only hope.

But just as I was planning to escape and get close to him, my parents dragged me to that airport and shipped me overseas...

"I didn't expect you to love fencing as well as the piano. There's a concert this weekend, and I bought two tickets. Would you like to go with me?"

On our seventh meeting, Julian was the one to ask me out.

I was helping Leo with his homework at the music academy. I looked up and smiled softly. "I'd love to. But I'm worried Mrs. Sterling might get the wrong idea."

Julian immediately replied, "She won't. Chloe's only hobbies are cocktail parties and shopping. She has zero interest in classical music."

When it was time to say goodbye, Leo hugged me tightly. "Ms. Wood, will you come to my next piano lesson? You're so much better than my tutor. If you're here, my grades will definitely improve, and maybe Mommy will like me more."

My smile stiffened, and my heart ached. After a brief pause, I whispered, "Of course I will."

"But Leo, you should study for yourself, okay? You don't need to try so hard to please anyone else."

For someone who didn't care about you, it didn't matter how perfect you were—they would still ignore you.

On the day of the concert, Chloe, who usually avoided such classy places, actually showed up. The moment Julian and I stepped out of the car, she blocked us. A swarm of paparazzi surrounded us, their cameras flashing violently, blinding me.

"I knew it, Julian! Marcus told me you've been meeting up with some woman lately. I didn't believe him, but look at you, fooling around behind my back!"

"Explain this! Who is this cheap bitch to you?"

I raised my hand to block the cameras. Chloe aggressively rushed over to drag me away, but Julian stepped in and blocked her. "Enough! I just brought a business partner to a concert. We did absolutely nothing wrong."

"But look at you! You bribed my driver, Marcus, to spy on me, and now you brought the paparazzi? Are you out of your mind?"

Chloe wouldn't listen. She shoved him aside violently and yanked my hand down to stare at my face.

The moment she recognized me, her eyes turned bloodshot. She screamed in a screeching, manic voice:

"Amber?"

"You dare to throw yourself at my husband? Do you want to die?"

"Did you forget what you promised me?!"