Chapter 2

"This is our child from five years ago, isn't it?"

Adrian recovered quickly, a confident smirk playing on his lips.

"They all told me you had a miscarriage and the baby didn't survive. I didn't expect you to secretly raise my child."

"Claire, you really... are still hopelessly in love with me."

He was dressed in a tailored bespoke suit, holding a massive bouquet of white roses in one hand and a velvet ring box in the other.

This scene looked exactly like the day he proposed to me five years ago.

Adrian took a step forward and popped the ring box open.

The massive diamond flashed blindingly under the hallway light.

"I had this ring custom-made just for you."

I stared at the diamond.

Five years ago, Adrian had dropped to one knee with a giant pink diamond ring.

Back then, I thought I was the luckiest woman in the world.

Only later did I find out that the pink diamond was never meant for me.

It was the ring he had prepared to propose to Chloe with.

But Chloe had thrown a tantrum back then and fled the country in a fit of rage.

To spite Chloe, Adrian found me and slipped that ring onto my finger.

I thought I had found true love, but in reality, I was just a pathetic substitute.

When I signed the divorce papers and left the Vance estate, I left that ring on the master bedroom nightstand.

I didn't take a single thing he ever bought me.

Just like Adrian himself, I had long since thrown him out like trash.

Seeing that I remained silent, Adrian frowned.

"What? Still throwing a tantrum?"

His tone carried a patronizing touch of indulgence. "It’s been five years, Claire. You've had your fun. A woman can't live in her feelings forever."

I almost laughed out loud from pure rage.

Five years had passed, and he hadn't changed a bit.

Always looking down on everyone, always assuming I couldn't live without him.

Sensing the tense atmosphere, the little boy in my arms wrapped his arms tighter around my neck and whispered, "Mommy, who is he?"

My little boy was beautiful, with thick eyelashes and soft, chubby cheeks.

Especially his eyes—dark, bright, and intelligent.

They looked exactly like mine did when I was a child.

My heart softened, and I gently stroked his cheek. "Nobody, sweetie. Just an annoying stranger."

Adrian’s face darkened instantly. "Claire, I know you're still bitter. But think about it realistically. You're a divorced woman with a kid. You aren't getting any younger."

"Who else but me would ever want you?"