Chapter 1
On the fourth anniversary of her child’s death, Amy Carter walked into the registry office alone.
Today, she would finally let go.
She slid the cancellation form across the glass window.
The clerk adjusted the microphone.
“Once the eldest son’s registration is canceled, the second child automatically becomes the only one. Please sign here.”
Amy froze.
“What second child? We only had one.”
Everyone in Philadelphia knew Walter Davis loved his wife beyond reason.
Four years ago, when their only son Robert drowned in the pool, Walter built the nation’s largest children’s foundation in his name. He had sworn Robert would always be their one and only.
The clerk double–checked the records, then turned the monitor toward her.
“Your husband has two registered children. The second was filed exactly one year after Robert’s death. His name is Nathan Davis. Guardian: Michelle Campbell.”
Amy’s blood turned to ice.
Michelle.
How could she forget that name?
Michelle had appeared like a virus since Amy and Walter started university together.
During orientation, Michelle snatched the microphone to proclaim her love for Walter before the entire campus, get- ting dragged away by security.
On graduation trip, she burst naked into Walter’s room attempting to assault him. He had her arrested for sexual ha- rassment–three months in jail.
Her last appearance was at Amy and Walter’s wedding five years ago. Storming the chapel in a wedding dress, she caused Amy’s parents to collapse.
Walter ordered bodyguards to remove her, veins bulging as he threatened to drown her–only stopped by Amy’s inter-
vention.
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Chapter 1
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To ensure Michelle vanished permanently, Walter sent her to the Lawless Border Region with “special care” instruc-
tions.
Yet now, this clerk claimed Walter registered a second child with Michelle on the first anniversary of their son’s death.
Amy couldn’t believe it.
Sitting dazed in her car for hours, her phone rang.
“Sweetheart, today’s Robert’s anniversary. Finishing this meeting and coming straight home to you.”
“Don’t cry alone or I’ll worry.
“Love you.
Amy stared blankly at the message, her mind empty.
She and Walter grew up together.
When her family went bankrupt during the economic crisis a decade ago, Walter abandoned his Ivy League offer to stay with her.
Throughout college, everyone knew Walter’s obsessive devotion–flowers, cars, houses, even a star bearing her name. He gave her everything imaginable.
After losing their child, when depression and insomnia consumed her, he held her through endless nights.
Once when she visited the ocean alone, he mistook it for a suicide attempt. Kneeling on the sand, he nearly put a bul- let through his own head.
How could a man who’d give his life for her ever betray her?
Thoughts churning, Amy instinctively swerved toward the school address the clerk provided.
Approaching the gates, she spotted the familiar tall figure nearby.
Walter–who claimed to be in a meeting just five minutes ago.
The next second, the school gate opened.
A woman with flawless makeup emerged, holding the hand of a delicate–looking little boy.
Spotting him instantly, the boy broke free and bounded over, leaping into his arms.
“Daddy! I missed you so, so much!”
Walter crouched down with a smile. “Daddy’s here to be with you now, little rascal.”
He scooped the child up with one arm while wrapping the other around the woman’s waist.
As they turned, Amy recognized the woman’s face–it was Michelle.
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Chapter 1
Stunned by the scene before her, Amy’s breath caught as tears spilled down her cheeks.
Watching them enter the car, she followed instinctively, her eyes red.
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