Chapter 1

I saw my son on the street with a strange man, and he was calling that man "Daddy."

But that man was my wife’s stepbrother.

It turned out my wife was completely brainwashed by her toxic family. She actually did something so unforgivable just for her stepbrother!

I demanded a divorce, only to uncover a truth that completely shattered my entire world.

"Hey Ethan, isn't that your son?"

It was lunchtime, and I was driving down Riverside Drive.

My coworker, Luke, who was sitting in the passenger seat, suddenly pointed out the window.

A young boy was standing on the sidewalk.

He looked about seven or eight, wearing a backpack.

He seemed to be waiting for someone.

Leo?

I recognized him instantly. It was my son, Leo.

"Why is he out here?" I muttered.

There was Riverside Elementary about a hundred yards ahead, but Leo didn't go to school there.

His school, Horizon Academy, was in the new district, over two miles away.

His mom must have brought him here.

But this was incredibly irresponsible. How could she just leave a kid standing by the road alone?

A wave of anger washed over me.

I pulled the car over, got out, and walked over to him. "Leo! Come here. Where is your mom?"

The boy looked at me.

But his eyes were completely blank, filled with a deep, intense wariness.

Instead of running toward me, he turned around and dashed toward a convenience store nearby.

"Hey! Why are you running from me? I'm your dad!"

I didn't think much of it. Frowning, I quickened my pace and followed him toward the store.

Just as the boy reached the entrance, I grabbed his backpack. But before I could scold him, he suddenly burst into tears and screamed:

"Daddy! Help! A bad man is trying to kidnap me!"

Daddy?

Bad man?

I froze.

I’m standing right here! Who on earth are you calling "Daddy"?

And since when did I become a kidnapper?

Was this kid playing some sick prank on his own father?

But his crying was so loud, and his face was so pale with genuine terror. This didn't look like a prank.

"Oh my god..."

"Someone help! Help! Kidnapper! He's trying to take the kid in broad daylight!"

As I stood there dazed, the surrounding pedestrians stopped in their tracks.

Someone started shouting.

The stares directed at me turned hostile. Two young guys even rolled up their sleeves and blocked my path.

It was only then, looking closely, that I realized this boy was slightly taller than Leo.

He looked about a year older.

The name on his backpack read "Riverside Elementary."

And I had never seen the clothes and shoes he was wearing today.

Did I get the wrong kid?

My hand instinctively let go of his backpack.

My mind was in a complete mess, utterly confused.

Because putting all those differences aside... this boy's face was an exact replica of my son Leo's!

I know some people look alike in this world, but to look *this* identical?

Even I, the father, almost couldn't tell them apart!

Seeing me let go of the kid, the two young guys rushed forward.

One grabbed my shoulder, and the other grabbed my collar.

Passersby were already pulling out their phones, preparing to call the police...

"It’s a misunderstanding! It's a total misunderstanding!"

Seeing things get out of hand, Luke quickly got out of the car and ran over to explain.

I snapped out of my shock, quickly pulled out my phone, opened my gallery, and showed everyone photos of me and Leo.

"Wow, they really do look alike."

"Seriously, like ninety percent identical. I would have made the same mistake."

"Right? I was wondering who would be brave enough to kidnap a kid on a busy street like this."

"Crazy world. Twins from different families, huh?"

The two young men glanced at the photos and immediately let me go.

The crowd began to whisper and disperse.

The tense atmosphere cleared up instantly.

I instinctively looked back at the boy.

And what I saw next made my heart drop.