Chapter 1

The day before my wedding, I canceled the ceremony and went to the hospital alone for a major surgery.

I ran into a doctor I knew in the hallway. She looked at me in surprise.

"Mr. Santana? You were still worried last week that the surgery might affect your wedding. What made you change your mind all of a sudden?

"Didn't Ms. Jenner come with you?"

I lowered my head and pressed a hand against my stomach, which was hurting so badly I could barely stand it. My heart felt completely empty.

"She's busy. She's downstairs with her lover and getting a prenatal checkup behind my back."

Chapter 1

The doctor blinked twice in shock and was clearly at a loss for words.

Right then, the private investigator I, Stevie Santana, had hired came hurrying down the stairs with a file in his hands.

"Mr. Santana, I found it. The baby Ms. Jenner is carrying really is that man's!"

The doctor's eyes widened even further. Her surprise quickly turned into awkwardness.

She quickly took a step back and forced a dry smile.

"Mr. Santana, I'll let you get back to what you're doing. I still have rounds to make, so I'll be going."

I ignored her.

I took the paternity test from the investigator and opened it. My gaze landed on the conclusion on the final page.

[The results support the tested individual as the biological father of the fetus, with a probability of paternity greater than 99.99%.]

"Thank you for your help. I'll transfer you double the fee."

The private investigator thanked me repeatedly, but I didn't even have the strength to respond.

With a hand pressed against my aching stomach, I walked numbly toward the window at the end of the hallway.

There was a huge glass window there.

All I had to do was look down, and I could see Hugo Stanley walking through the garden on the first floor with Willa Jenner after her prenatal checkup.

The two of them chatted as they strolled and seemed incredibly affectionate with each other. Willa was practically nestled against Hugo's chest.

They laughed and talked together, looking every bit like a loving married couple.

I stood there and watched them while trembling with pain.

Yet, I still couldn't let go. I wasn't ready to give up. I wanted to give Willa one last chance.

I stared at their silhouettes and called Willa.

Her phone rang.

Willa glanced at the screen, and her brows furrowed in annoyance.

She declined my call.

I called again, but she declined yet again.

I called one last time, and she finally answered.

Before I could say anything, Willa's impatient voice came through the phone.

"Stevie, are you out of your mind?

"I told you I'm busy! And you keep calling me over and over. What exactly do you want?"

I swallowed the sob rising in my throat.

"My stomach's been aching. Could you come with me for the surgery–?"

Willa let out a heavy sigh. She was clearly irritated that I was bothering her.

"If you're not feeling well, go see a doctor yourself. Can't you bring one of the maids with you to the hospital? I'm carrying your child, and I'm already swamped at work every day. I really don't have time to spend every day taking care of a sick person."

"I–"

I wanted to say something else, but the call had already been disconnected.

Downstairs, the woman who had just been snapping at me over the phone instantly became gentle and affectionate the moment she turned around. She slipped back into Hugo's arms and continued strolling with him at an unhurried pace.

I couldn't even describe what I was feeling. It was as if all the bitterness inside me was about to spill out of my mouth.

I shivered from the cold.

When I looked up, I saw my reflection in the glass. A patient with bloodshot eyes was staring back at me while tears streamed down his face.

I thought he looked so pitiful.

Then I heard a nurse's footsteps behind me.

She gently reminded me, "Mr. Santana, it's time for your surgery.

"If you haven't made up your mind, we can reschedule or cancel the appointment."

Only then did I come back to my senses.

I quickly wiped the tears from my face and turned around.

"It's fine. I've made up my mind. Take me to the operating room."

The surgery was over quickly.

As the anesthesia gradually wore off, a deep, dull pain spread through my body.

I hadn't brought any of the maids with me, so I had no choice but to brace myself against the walls and slowly make my way out.

As I passed a corner, I heard someone calling my name loudly.

"Stevie!"

I turned around.

Sure enough, it was Willa's lover, Hugo.

Chapter 2

Hugo walked quickly toward me. He spoke in a surprised tone.

"Stevie, it really is you. What are you doing at the hospital? Are you not feeling well too?"

The moment Hugo finished speaking, Willa came hurrying after him. Her voice was full of concern and tenderness.

"Hugo, I was only gone for a minute to get you a jacket. Why did you just disappear like that?

"The air conditioning is so cold in here. You need to wear something warm. Don't catch a cold."

Only then did Willa seem to notice me standing in front of them.

She froze for a moment before asking guiltily, "Why did you come to the hospital alone? Where are the maids?"

I didn't answer. I simply stared at her in silence.

Apparently, my gaze made her uncomfortable. Willa reluctantly explained, "Hugo came with me for a checkup. We made the appointment a long time ago.

"I was just worried you'd overthink it. You've already made a scene over things like this several times. Besides, we're getting married tomorrow. I figured it was better not to create any unnecessary trouble, so I kept it from you."

I hummed softly in response while showing very little emotion.

Willa assumed that meant the matter was over. She casually picked up the jacket and helped Hugo put it on.

She even carefully fastened every button for him one by one.

Hugo tilted his head and looked me up and down with a mixture of pity and smugness.

He then pretended to be upset and yelled, "Willa, what are you doing?

"Stevie is right here. You should give him the jacket first. Why are you putting it on me?"

Willa didn't even look up.

"It's fine. He's healthy. Besides, you're my baby's–"

She suddenly stopped.

Her expression changed as if she had realized what she was about to say. She quickly glanced at me and corrected herself.

"You're my baby's godfather, so I need to make sure you're taken care of."

I had no interest in watching any longer.

It had already started raining outside, and it seemed like it was only going to get heavier.

I randomly came up with an excuse and prepared to leave.

"I have some other tests to get done. I'll get going then."

Willa suddenly grabbed my arm.

I turned around. She pointed at the umbrella in my bag and spoke in an entitled manner.

"If you don't need it right away, lend me that umbrella.

"It's raining hard outside, and I'm worried Hugo will get wet while getting into the car. Summer rain usually stops quickly. By the time you finish your tests, it'll probably be over anyway. You won't need it."

I looked at Willa. My eyes welled up with tears. My voice was hoarse as I asked, "He needs to be taken care of. What about me?

"Willa, I'm still sick. My stomach still hurts."

The moment Willa saw my expression, she assumed I was about to start making a scene again.

She waved her hand impatiently. Her voice was filled with annoyance and dismissal.

"Fine, forget it.

"I only asked you to lend me something, and you had to make such a big deal out of it. Hugo has always been in poor health. Even if you get caught in the rain, you'll recover quickly. You came to the hospital alone for surgery and you're fine, aren't you?

"Stop making a fuss over nothing."

With that, Willa put her arm around Hugo and walked away.

She continued muttering under her breath.

"He acts like a complete lunatic every time he gets sick. I can't stand him anymore."

Her voice wasn't soft. It was almost as if she wanted to make sure I heard every word.

She wanted to hurt me on purpose.

My tears suddenly stopped. I forced them back until my eyes felt dry.

An overwhelming wave of resentment and hatred washed through me so badly that even breathing hurt.

My legs gave out beneath me. I staggered to a nearby bench and sat down. I rested there for a long while.

I then called the private investigator who had just given me the paternity test results.

"Do you still have backups of those private photos you took of the two of them? Print fifty thousand copies. I'll buy every single one.

"Find someone to cover the entire new house with them.

"Stuff those photos into the fireworks tomorrow. I want them raining down like confetti."

Chapter 3

By the time I returned home, Willa had already had dinner with Hugo.

She was curled up on the couch with him while they watched a soap opera. She was even laughing and commenting on the plot with him.

"If I were the male lead, I'd just break up with her. Why drag it out like this?"

Hugo rested his head against her shoulder and casually glanced at me in the entryway.

He muttered with unclear intent, "It can't be helped. The male lead is such a loser. He just refuses to leave."

I watched the scene in front of me and felt a lump in my throat.

I remembered how, whenever I used to watch this show, Willa would complain even if she was only passing by.

"Turn it down. It's so loud. Can't you tell? I don't understand how you can watch something this pointless. I can never stand it."

Now that I thought about it, maybe Willa didn't hate soap operas. Maybe she just hated me.

Since she hated me, she hated everything I liked too, including soap operas.

When she heard the front door open, she merely gave me a cold glance before looking away.

She didn't say a word.

She was obviously still giving me the cold shoulder over the umbrella incident.

I pretended not to notice.

I went to the dining room and ate by myself.

Halfway through the meal, Hugo followed the smell of the food into the dining room.

"Stevie, your food smells so good.

"Wanda, do you have another serving? I'd like one."

Wanda looked embarrassed.

"I'm sorry. Since Mr. Santana has stomach complications, all his meals are specially prepared. So I only made one serving."

The moment she finished speaking, Willa walked into the dining room. Without saying a word, she took the tray right out from in front of me.

She carried it straight over to Hugo.

"It's just a meal. Let Hugo have it. It's not like you're going to starve.

"Stevie, just have Wanda make you something else later. Hugo rarely asks for something specific to eat. He's older than you, so just let him have this."

I stared at her. My empty stomach was already aching from hunger.

All I could do was grip the fork in my hand so tightly that my knuckles turned pale.

Wham.

I couldn't take it anymore. I slammed the fork onto the table and finally lost my temper.

"Is the Jenner family so broke that you have to steal food from someone else? You treat your lover so well. Anyone who didn't know better might think you were marrying him tomorrow!"

It seemed I had struck a nerve. Willa shouted furiously, "What the hell are you talking about? You just got home and you're already making a scene. Who spoiled you into acting like this?"

Hugo immediately covered his face and began crying. His shoulders were trembling too.

Yet even then, he kept up the act.

"No, no, it's not like that. Stevie, please stop arguing with Willa.

"This is all my fault. I was just being greedy. I want to eat everything I see. I don't want the food anymore. You can have it back, okay?

"You've chased after Willa for three years. You finally got together, and you're getting married tomorrow. Please don't let me ruin your wedding!"

The more submissive Hugo acted, the darker Willa's expression became.

She put an arm around him and comforted him.

"Hugo, stop crying.

"Why are you apologizing to him? You did nothing wrong."

She then turned to face me and yelled, "Stevie, if you hadn't followed me around for three years, do you think I would've dated you or agreed to marry you?

"If you dare pick on Hugo again, I'll cancel the wedding right now!"

Hugo was clearly afraid the situation might somehow be salvaged.

He lifted his tear-streaked face and tugged at Willa's sleeve.

"Willa, don't say that. Stevie only acts this way because he cares about you too much. He's afraid I'll take you away from him.

"I'll move out tomorrow. I don't want to be a third wheel anymore."

Willa quickly cut him off.

"Move out? If anyone's leaving, it's him!

"This house belongs to me. Everything in it belongs to me too. Stevie, if you pull this stunt again, the wedding is canceled, and you're getting kicked out of the Jenner family!

"Apologize to Hugo right now!"

Chapter 4

Boom!

The thunder outside was loud. It was followed by a blinding flash of lightning.

I looked at Willa's fierce expression and the smug Hugo in her arms.

I slowly shook my head and laughed.

Willa froze.

"You–"

I didn't give her a chance to say anything else. I calmly wiped the corner of my mouth.

I then stood up, picked up my bag, pushed open the door of the villa, and walked out.

I opened the umbrella I had refused to lend Willa and stepped into the rain.

Half of my body was soaked within moments, and I shivered violently from the cold.

Even then, my steps never wavered.

Another bolt of lightning flashed across the sky.

Willa suddenly jolted to her senses. Listening to the pouring rain outside, she realized she might have gone too far with what she had said.

Besides, it was pouring outside, and I was sick.

Panic suddenly filled her heart. She wanted to chase after me.

But the moment she broke free, Hugo wrapped his arms around her again.

"Willa, don't go. It's thundering. I'm scared."

Willa put a hand on Hugo's arm and tried to pull herself free.

She gently reassured him, "It's okay. There are plenty of maids in the house.

"Stevie is still sick. I should go check on him."

Instead of letting go, Hugo only held her tighter.

His voice trembled, and his face was streaked with tears.

"Willa, do you not love me anymore?

"Back then, I was forced to marry your mother, but my heart has always belonged to you. You promised you'd take care of me. Stevie treated me like that just now, and you still want to leave me to chase after him?"

Willa hesitated for a long time. In the end, she stopped.

Instead, she lowered her voice and gently coaxed Hugo.

"Don't overthink it. I'm right here."

But her gaze remained fixed on the window.

Once Hugo had calmed down, Willa called me.

I didn't pick up.

She called three times in a row, but there was still no answer.

Hugo suppressed the smugness in his heart and rested his head against her chest. He was testing the waters again.

"Willa, do you think Stevie got really angry and won't come to the wedding tomorrow? He's sick, too. What are we going to do if he doesn't show up? Why don't you text him and apologize properly?"

Willa's gaze darted around with uncertainty, but she stubbornly refused to back down.

As if reassuring herself, she said, "Apologize? He's the one who was wrong. If I apologize, won't he start thinking he can walk all over me?

"Don't worry. He loves me too much. We're getting married tomorrow. There's no way he'd actually give me the cold shoulder and break up with me, would he? He probably just went to the new house to cool off."

Willa was wrong.

I was at the airport.

I had boarded a plane ten minutes earlier. I had no destination in mind.

I simply asked the airport staff for the next flight leaving as soon as possible.

It was twenty past three in the morning.

I had just gotten off the plane when I received two text messages.

The first was from the private investigator.

[Mr. Santana, everything is ready.]

The second was from Willa.

[I was a little too harsh earlier. Get some rest. I'll come pick you up at the new house tomorrow morning.]

I didn't reply to either one of them.

I was so exhausted I could barely keep my eyes open.

I checked into a hotel near the airport, collapsed onto the bed, pulled the covers over my head, and fell asleep.

At seven in the morning, everything at the Jenner family villa was ready. The bridesmaids were buzzing with excitement while urging everyone to get moving.

Willa kept staring at the text message that had gone unanswered. A sense of unease lingered in her heart.

Hugo noticed and asked worriedly, "Willa, what's wrong? You look terrible.

"Stevie still hasn't replied to you?"

Willa shook her head.

Her gaze landed on the formal suit Hugo was wearing, and her brows furrowed.

It was luxurious and eye-catching.

It looked good, but it wasn't appropriate.

"Hugo, why don't you get changed? Today is Stevie's and my wedding. If you dress like this–"

Hugo lowered his head. He looked hurt again.

He was about to use his usual trick and act pitiful until Willa gave in, but the bridesmaids weren't having it.

They immediately chimed in. "Hugo, you're dressed way too flashy. We know today is Willa's big day, but you're still technically a senior member of the family. You should dress more appropriately. This outfit is a little too eye-catching."

"Exactly. Willa is marrying Stevie today. You're her stepfather. What kind of impression would it give if you showed up in a suit like that?"

"There are several media outlets here today, too. Hugo, you'd better not keep your arm around Willa. If someone takes a picture and rumors start spreading, what will happen to the Jenner family's reputation?"

-

Everyone kept chiming in. Willa, meanwhile, remained distracted and said nothing.

Hugo had no choice but to angrily change into something more subdued before following the wedding convoy to the new house.

Fortunately, Willa's assistant called on the way.

"Ms. Jenner, the security guard said that around two or three in the morning, they saw quite a few people inside the new house. They were setting something up.

"He said Mr. Santana was the one who called them there. He's probably inside too."

The weight on Willa's heart finally lifted. She couldn't help but smile.

But once they actually arrived at the new house, the entire villa was eerily quiet. There wasn't even anyone putting up wedding decorations.

It didn't look like a wedding was happening at all.

Willa was confused, but recalling what the security guard had said, she forced a smile and waved her hand grandly.

"Let's go! We're going inside to decorate the new house!"

She never expected there to be no one inside.

The door was only slightly ajar. One gentle push was all it took. The bridesmaids and friends outside immediately paraded inside.

Bang!

Rows of confetti cannons exploded.

Countless photographs shot into the air like fireworks before scattering everywhere.

One high-resolution photo after another rained down.

There were pictures of Willa and Hugo embracing each other, kissing, and even being intimate in bed. They came down like a blizzard and covered the entire room.

Willa stood frozen in place. All the color drained from her face.

She stared at a photograph that had landed at her feet.

In it, she and Hugo were kissing passionately in the lounge at her mother's funeral.

Beneath the photo was a line of small print.

[Willa, congratulations to you and Hugo on your big day!]