Chapter 1

While I was at home recovering from childbirth and resting on maternity leave, my former college roommate Jessica—a girl who had hated my guts since freshman year—suddenly announced her wedding in our college alumni SnapChat group.

She even went out of her way to tag me:

"I’m ready to bury the hatchet, Audrey! You simply must come to my wedding! If I’m in a good mood, I might even be able to get your broke husband a gig as a security guard."

I had no idea what kind of psychotic breakdown she was having this time, so I simply replied: "No thanks. We're good."

The SnapChat group instantly blew up.

"Jessica is being so sweet and generous by including you, and you're turning her down?"

"Back in college, you always tried to compete with her. What's wrong? Ashamed to show off your pathetic husband?"

Jessica chimed in, pretending to be gracious:

"I really just want to help, Audrey. After all, my husband is one of the hottest rising CEOs in the city. A single scrap from his table would be enough to change your family’s miserable lives."

The group flooded with flattery, and several people eagerly asked for her new husband’s identity.

In response, Jessica dropped a glamorous wedding photo, followed by a voice memo of her fiancé greeting everyone.

The moment that deep, familiar voice played through my speaker, my stomach plummeted.

And when the wedding photo finally loaded, revealing the man standing next to her—a man identical to my husband—it felt like a thunderbolt struck straight through my skull.

If that was her husband... then who the hell was currently changing my baby daughter’s diaper in the next room?

Staring at that face, the exact replica of my husband, the first thought that spilled out of my mouth was:

"Lucas... do you have an identical twin brother you never told me about?"

Lucas paused his hands over the diaper, immediately shaking his head. "I'm an only child. You know that."

"Why the sudden question? Pregnancy brain finally catching up to you?"

He handed our daughter over to the maternity nurse, walked over, and wrapped his arms tightly around me from behind. His voice was soft, overflowing with tenderness.

I was in no mood for jokes.

If he didn't have a twin, then who on earth was Jessica Vance about to marry?

I turned around and looked straight into his eyes. "Lucas, are you seeing someone else behind my back?"

Lucas's face went blank for two seconds. Then, he burst out laughing as if I had just told the most absurd joke in the world.

He playfully tapped the tip of my nose. "Babe, what is going on with you today?"

"Oh, I get it. It’s the postpartum hormone drop, isn't it? It makes you overthink."

He pulled me against his chest, sounding genuinely guilty. "It's my fault. I've been neglecting you with work. How about this? The second I get back from this business trip in two days, I'll clear my entire schedule and stay home with you."

With that, he pulled a velvet box from his briefcase and opened it to reveal a pair of bangles.

"I had a friend secure these at an auction a few days ago. You’ve worked so hard for our family, Audrey."

My breath caught. I recognized them instantly. They were the legendary Imperial Jade bangles auctioned off two months ago—worth over a hundred million dollars.

Lucas had only taken over the branch office of the Sterling Corporation six months ago. Did he pour every dime he’d ever made into these bracelets for me?

Even though his entire career existed solely because of my family’s secret backing, seeing this level of devotion still tugged at my heart.

"You reckless spender!" I teased gently.

Lucas ruffled my hair with a fond smile. "Everything I earn belongs to you and our little girl."

Leaning into his warm embrace, I was about to vent to him about the ridiculous circus in the alumni group.

Before I could unlock my phone, Lucas’s phone rang. He glanced at the screen, took the call, and said he needed to leave for the airport immediately.

Before walking out the door, he planted a sweet kiss on my forehead. "Wait for me, babe."

After he left, I stared down at the glowing green jade.

A heavy wave of guilt washed over me for ever doubting him.

Meanwhile, the SnapChat group was still buzzing with endless praise for Jessica.

Recalling Jessica’s insufferable narcissism back in college, she was probably just lying for clout, using an AI-edited photo or hiring an escort.

I didn't care enough to engage with a psycho like her, so I left the group.

Maybe it really was just postpartum boredom making me overly emotional.

Our daughter was well cared for by the night nanny.

I needed to pick up my paintbrushes again, get back to work, and clear my head.

The next morning, I packed my art supplies and drove out to my private coastal villa for some fresh inspiration.

Yet, as my car pulled up to the gates, I froze.

The vacant beachfront estate was draped in massive floral walls and arches of white balloons.

Someone was hosting a full-blown wedding at my house!

Before I could even process the shock, a shrill, familiar voice pierced the air.

"Well, well! Look who was acting all tough in the group yesterday! Couldn't resist crawling here on your knees, could you? Are you and your deadbeat husband so broke you can't even afford baby formula, so you came to suck up to Jessica?"