Chapter 1

I was changing my younger son, Leo, when he suddenly asked, "Mom, are you the other woman?"

My brows furrowed instantly, my hands freezing mid-button. "Sweetheart, who told you your mom is the other woman?"

"Before preschool ended this afternoon, the teacher said it. She said I'm the other woman's son. But I'm your child, Mom, so... are you?"

"Does my little man know what 'the other woman' means?"

Pure, innocent eyes stared back at me.

"No."

I composed myself, forcing a smile for Leo.

"Of course not, darling. You're also Daddy's child. How about we ask Daddy about it when he gets home for dinner?"

"Okay!"

Watching the innocent smile spread across Leo's face, my heart sank. It seemed someone couldn't keep her composure after returning to the country.

I placed Leo on the carpet in his playroom and asked Maria, our nanny, to keep an eye on him. I went back to the living room, sat on the sofa, and started texting the preschool director while waiting for Adrian Knight to come home.

I had just finished drafting a message when I heard the front door open. It was Ryder, my elder son, back from school.

I put my phone down and walked to the door, reaching out to take the tote bag from his hand.

"Ryder, you're back? What did you buy?"

My hand grasped the strap of the tote bag, but his hand didn't let go. We stood there, frozen in the entryway.

He opened his mouth, as if unsure how to speak. I probably understood. I let go of the bag and broke the deadlock myself.

"Was it from... your mom? I wasn't thinking. You keep it."

He looked down, muttering, "She's not..."

I didn't quite catch what he said, so I questioned, "Huh? What did you say?"

"I said, she's not my mom. You are my mom."

I froze in place. He then shoved the bag into my hands.

"Mom, can you get rid of this for me? She forced it on me. I didn't want it."

With that, he hurried upstairs, leaving me stunned in the entryway.

Was that child just shy?