Chapter 2

It was Emma's third birthday party. I wore a cream-colored dress, smiling as I greeted the guests. Blake seemed unusually happy too, dressed in a dark suit that showed a completely different side of him.

"Honey, did you really prepare a surprise for Emma?" I tugged at his sleeve, my eyes full of anticipation.

He gently caressed my cheek. "You'll see soon enough."

My heart raced. In four years of marriage, he'd never been this mysterious.

I crouched down to hug Emma as she ran around. "Sweetie, Daddy says he has a big surprise for you."

"Really?" Emma clapped her hands, jumping with excitement.

In the grand hall, guests held champagne flutes while Evelyn sat at the main table.

Suddenly, the ballroom doors swung open.

Blake walked in, holding hands with a woman. It was Vanessa, his ex-girlfriend.

Beside her was a little boy, about five or six years old, who bore a striking resemblance to Blake.

My mind went blank.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Blake took the microphone, walking to the front. "On my daughter's birthday, I have an announcement to make."

My heart was about to burst out of my chest. Something wasn't right.

"This is Vanessa, my first love. And this boy is my biological son."

The room erupted into chaos.

I stood there, my mind completely blank.

"Blake, what are you saying?" I rushed forward, my voice trembling.

He smirked and pulled out a report from his pocket, throwing it in my face.

"Take a look at this."

With shaking hands, I picked up the report. It was a medical diagnosis stating: Natalie, congenital fallopian tube malformation, unable to conceive naturally.

"This is impossible!" I cried out.

"Impossible? The evidence is right here." Blake pointed at our confused daughter. "And her? Where did you pick up this bastard child?"

Guests began to whisper.

"I always thought Emma didn't look like Mr. Chen at all."

"Oh my God, Natalie actually..."

"Poor Mr. Chen..."

Their judgmental looks cut into me like knives.

Emma ran over and hugged my leg. "Mommy, what are they saying?"

I crouched down to hug her, tears streaming down my face.

Blake threw another document at me. "Divorce papers. Sign them and leave with Emma. Don't take anything else."

"You're insane! Emma is your daughter!"

"My daughter?" He laughed maniacally. "How can an infertile woman have a daughter? Sign it, before I make you."

I looked towards Evelyn in the crowd. "Mom, say something!"

But Evelyn remained seated, her face expressionless, her eyes lingering on Blake for a long time.

My heart sank completely. Even Evelyn didn't believe me.