Chapter 3

"And my son can't be living out there, calling some other man 'Dad'!"

He spat out his threats, then dragged a still-sobbing Jasmine and slunk away into their beat-up used car.

Watching them disappear, the coldness in my eyes turned to ice.

In my previous life, he did exactly this.

He went to Julian's university, caused a scene, spread rumors that Julian was a home-wrecker, which led to Julian being suspended for investigation.

That period was the darkest time for Julian and me.

This time, I would never let history repeat itself.

I put away my phone and looked down at my son.

"Noah, are you scared?"

Noah shook his head, his small hand gripping my clothes tightly, his gaze firm.

"I'm not scared. Dad will protect us."

I stroked his head, a warmth spreading through my heart.

Yes, this time, I had Julian.

Liam's harassment came sooner than I expected.

That afternoon, I received a call from Professor Davies at the university. His voice was filled with difficulty.

"Sarah, your ex-husband, Liam, is here at the university. He's specifically asking to see Professor Julian, saying he wants to... 'settle things'."

"A lot of students are gathering around. It doesn't look good, so..."

My fingers tightened around the phone.

Sure enough, he was following the exact same path as in my previous life.

Self-righteous, and utterly foolish.

"Professor, don't mind him. He's just a lunatic. I've already called the police."

After hanging up, I immediately sent Julian a text.

"Ignore him. I'm on my way."

Julian quickly replied with a single word.

"Okay."

I drove straight to Northwestern University.

The car sped down the road, and the helplessness and regret from my past life resurfaced.

Three years ago, I caught him cheating with Jasmine. In my despair, I had a drunken night with Julian, who was also going through a tough time.

I had intended to cut off contact, but then I found out I was pregnant.

When I told Liam, he thought the baby was his and was ecstatic.

But Noah was born with a rare genetic disease. The enormous medical bills instantly made him change his tune. He colluded with Jasmine, stole all my money, and abandoned Noah and me like trash.

When I had nowhere else to turn, I reconnected with Julian.

He concealed his true identity from me, only saying he was a regular teacher, but he quietly created a safe haven for Noah.

I would never forget that kindness.

Liam's current arrogance was built on his laughable ignorance.

Halfway there, my phone suddenly vibrated wildly. Notifications from various social media apps chimed nonstop.

I tapped it open. A post titled "Exposed: My Gold-Digger Ex-Wife Married a Poor Professor but Drives a Luxury Car" was trending across all major forums.

The poster was Jasmine.

In the post, she painted herself as a long-suffering good woman, and Liam as a self-sacrificing good man who went abroad to build a future.

And I, on the other hand, was a materialistic, promiscuous villain, using her ex-husband's money to support her toy boy, and refusing to let Noah's real father see his child.

Attached to the post were photos taken that morning in the parking lot, my luxury car, and a side profile shot of Julian lecturing, somehow acquired from somewhere.

In the photo, Julian wore a simple white shirt and classic wire-rimmed glasses, looking gentle and scholarly.

The comment section had exploded.

"OMG, this woman is shameless! Drives a luxury car, but her husband is a university professor? Can that professor's monthly salary even cover gas?"