CHAPTER 3 – The Woman Who Stole a Year
CHAPTER 3 – The Woman Who Stole a Year
Ethan stared at his mother in disbelief.
"You knew?"
Victoria didn't even try to deny it.
"Of course."
She adjusted her silk gloves with calm precision.
"I paid every hospital bill."
"I paid your apartment rent."
"I made sure the child lacked nothing."
Amelia interrupted.
"You made sure she grew up without her father."
Victoria's expression never changed.
"You would've ruined Ethan's future."
Ethan slammed both hands onto the conference table.
"You destroyed my family."
For the first time in decades, Victoria looked genuinely surprised.
"I protected our family."
"No."
His voice shook with anger.
"You protected your reputation."
He turned toward Daniel.
"You're fired."
Immediately.
Then he looked at the attorneys.
"The divorce is canceled."
Amelia stepped back.
"No."
Everyone looked at her.
"You don't get to cancel this because you finally learned the truth."
Ethan's shoulders fell.
She was right.
"I missed her first smile."
"Her first laugh."
"Her first word."
"You can't buy those moments back."
Rose reached toward Ethan with tiny hands.
The little girl didn't know she was watching two broken people trying to decide whether love could survive betrayal.
Ethan carefully held his daughter for the first time.
His hands trembled.
She wrapped one tiny finger around his thumb.
He broke.
The billionaire who had negotiated billion-dollar mergers cried in front of an entire room.
May you like
Because his daughter trusted him...
without knowing he had failed her.
