Chapter 1

I have Epidermolysis Bullosa—commonly known as "Butterfly Skin." My skin is as fragile as a butterfly's wing. The slightest scratch can cause tearing, severe bleeding, and easily take my life.

After we got married, I desperately wanted a baby of our own. But my husband, Julian Vance, refused.

He said, "I love you more than life itself, Elena. I can't risk losing you."

After five years of his constant persuasion, we finally went to an adoption agency and brought a child home.

I raised the boy, Tommy, as if he were my own flesh and blood.

Julian, claiming he didn't trust me to handle a child alone with my condition, even put his career on hold to stay home and help me.

Until today. Eight-year-old Tommy held a sharp knife and deliberately slashed my wrist.

I grabbed his hand just as he was about to stab me again.

Julian walked in, saw us, and violently shoved me away.

"He's just a child! Did you really have to snap at him like that?"

"I guess since he's not your biological son, you just can't help but be cruel."

Without even glancing at my bleeding wrist, he picked up Tommy and stormed upstairs.

I followed them, desperate to explain, but stopped outside the bedroom door when I heard a familiar voice on Julian's phone. It was my best friend, Chloe Miller.

"Julian, Tommy is starting to look more and more like the two of us."

"What if Elena finds out he's our child? She's my best friend... I feel so guilty."

Julian's voice was incredibly gentle as he comforted her.

"Don't worry. Her depression is getting worse by the day. She doesn't have the mental capacity to notice anything."

I wiped away my tears and turned around. When Julian finally came downstairs with Tommy in his arms, I spoke up.

"Let's get a divorce, Julian."