Chapter 1

It was the first major business gala my son hosted after we returned to the city, and he insisted I tag along to support him.

The moment we pushed open the heavy oak doors of the grand ballroom, I bumped straight into a broad chest.

The familiar scent of sandalwood hit me, making me step back instinctively, but a firm grip clamped around my wrist before I could retreat.

Leo gasped, trying to push the man away, but Marcus’s bodyguards immediately blocked him.

Marcus stared down at me, his brow furrowing with unearned frustration.

"Vivian, just because I gave you a lavish wedding back then but didn't sign the official marriage license, you threw a tantrum and disappeared for seven years? Was it worth it?"

Before I could even snap back, Marcus pulled me forcefully into his chest.

"But now that you’re back with the kid, it’s fine. We’ll register our marriage properly. Let me make it up to you."

Panicking at his touch, I struggled out of his grasp and violently shook him off.

I frantically brushed off my dress, terrified that a certain someone would notice any trace of another man's cologne on me.

Years ago, just because my jacket had a faint trace of a scent that wasn't his, Ethan had locked down the entire city to find out who it was, and then kept me up all night punishing me.

This city wasn't like our life abroad. It was better to keep a low profile.

Marcus watched me frantically brushing off my dress, a sudden flicker of pain crossing his eyes.

"Sir, please let go of my child."

My voice was ice-cold as I glared at the bodyguard holding Leo back.

There was no joy of a long-awaited reunion on my face, only sheer disgust.

Marcus quickly gestured for his bodyguard to release Leo. He looked at me, his eyes filled with a sudden, suffocating regret.

"Vivian, it’s my fault. I shouldn't have let you raise our son all by yourself overseas all these years."

"From now on, you both stay with me. I will give you everything you deserve."

As he spoke, he reached out to hug Leo. I instantly stepped in front of my son, shielding him.

"Marcus, he is not your son."

Hearing this, Marcus actually chuckled.

"Stop playing mind games with me, Vivian. The boy is innocent. You can't keep him fatherless forever, can you?"

Seeing Marcus completely lost in his own delusions, I lost the patience to argue.

"Believe what you want," I cold-shouldered him, turning to leave with Leo.

Marcus tried to follow, but a familiar woman's voice cut in from the side.

"Wait... is that Vivian Sterling?"

I turned around and recognized her as Mrs. Gable, one of my father’s former business partners.

I gave her a polite smile.

Looking at me and the growing boy next to me, Mrs. Gable looked surprised.

"Oh my gosh, is this your child with Marcus? He’s so big now! No wonder we haven't seen you at any charity galas for years. You were busy raising him!"

I froze, about to correct her.

But before I could speak, Leo beat me to it.

"I’m not Marcus's son. My dad has a name, and it’s not Marcus. His name is—"

I quickly covered Leo’s mouth.

Our company had just secretly completed its restructuring after moving back from abroad. Ethan’s identity could not be leaked yet.

I smiled at Mrs. Gable. "My boy is just being playful. But he really isn't Mr. Foster's child. I’ve been happily remarried for years."

With that, I raised my left hand, showing off the ring on my index finger.

It was a simple, classic gold band, nothing like the massive five-carat diamond Marcus had once used to propose to me.

Without waiting for her reply, I took Leo’s hand and walked straight into our private dining room.

I didn't care about the dark, stormy expression on Marcus’s face behind us.

Inside the private room, everyone showered me with compliments, praising my elegance.

I scanned the room, relieved to find no old acquaintances from my past.

After a few glasses of red wine, my face felt warm. I excused myself to go to the restroom to freshen up.

The moment I stepped out of the restroom, Marcus blocked my path.

He pinned me against the marble wall, trapping me. The heavy scent of his sandalwood cologne enveloped me.

Once, this scent brought me peace. Now, it only made me sick to my stomach.

"Why did you tell them the kid isn't mine? You ran away right after you found out you were pregnant back then!"

I looked at him, slightly stunned.

So he knew I was pregnant back then.

Dead memories suddenly rushed back. I felt like I was thrown right back to that rainy night when I held my pregnancy test, excited to find him at his office.

But instead, I had overheard a hushed conversation through the cracked door.

"Just file a fake marriage certificate with Vivian first. She’s head over heels for you anyway. Register the real marriage license with Mia. She needs that security to recover."

That old, suffocating despair washed over me again. Without thinking, I raised my hand and slapped him hard across the face.

"I got rid of that baby years ago. Do you really think I would keep a child belonging to a man like you?"

"Marcus, keep dreaming!"

Marcus stood there, stunned by the slap, before letting out a low, bitter laugh.

"What kind of man am I?"

"Vivian, you were the one who turned your back on your entire family just to have a wedding with me."

"And now you expect me to believe you aborted our baby?"