Chapter 2

The words barely left my mouth when the room went dead silent. Everyone gaped at me before erupting into laughter.

"Oh come on, Audrey! Everyone knows you were obsessed with Marcus. When he had kidney failure, you gave him one of yours! Someone like you wouldn't just marry someone else—would you?"

"Seriously? Could you at least make your lies believable? That's so far-fetched—who'd buy that?"

I rolled my eyes at their gossip.

I didn't blame them for being shocked. The old Audrey really had been head over heels for Marcus.

When he was diagnosed with kidney failure, I didn't hesitate to donate one of mine. Even now, my left side still aches when it rains—a constant reminder of that sacrifice.

I always gave him the sweetest parts of the watermelon and checked every dish meticulously because I knew about his seafood allergy.

Because I loved him, I even put up with him going on dates with his childhood sweetheart, Camille, over and over. I tolerated him fixing her hair and plating her food right in front of me.

As long as he came home and remembered he had a wife, that was enough for me.

Everyone knew I was love-struck, so they naturally figured I was just venting.

Snapping back to the present, Camille—who'd been standing nearby—grabbed a wine bottle from the table and walked over. Her tone was casual, but her words were cutting.

"Audrey, I know you're still upset about what happened two years ago."

"It's all my fault. If I hadn't gotten sick, Marcus never would've donated his sperm so I could have something to remember me by."

"Since everyone's here today, I'll have this drink as a public apology to you!"

She grabbed a glass and chugged it, the strong liquor making her cough hard.

Marcus jumped up, handed Noah to a nearby friend, and rushed over, patting Camille's back gently. His voice mixed anger with concern.

"Camille, are you out of your mind? The doctor said no drinking! Even if your condition's been stable all these years, you need to take it easy!"

After calming Camille down, Marcus shot me a smug look, his voice icy.

"Audrey, you've been acting out for two years. That's more than enough!"

"I just donated sperm—it wasn't like I cheated. Why are you still holding this grudge over something so small? Is it really that big of a deal?"

Everyone started murmuring again.

"Audrey's totally overreacting. She gets a ready-made kid—if anything, it's easier for her."

"And Marcus has been looking for her this whole time. She left for two years, and he searched for two years. Time to let the past go."

So donating sperm to someone else without my consent—a decision that should've been made together in our marriage—was just a "small thing" to Marcus?

What surprised me more, though, was this idea that Marcus had been looking for me all this time. Why?

Lost in thought, I heard Marcus announce, like it was a done deal:

"Look, Audrey, Noah needs someone to take care of him right now. Since you're back, you should step up with the kid. Even if he's not biologically yours, you're his legal mom—you have a responsibility."

I actually laughed out loud.

Two years later, Marcus was still this arrogant—ordering me around like he had every right.

But I wasn't the Audrey he could push around anymore.

The second Marcus made that decision two years ago—completely ignoring how I felt—my heart turned to stone toward him. I left the country without looking back.

And I wasn't just posturing earlier—I really was married with a kid.

After moving abroad, I got a new job, and soon after, I met my husband, Liam.

He stuck with me through those dark days, and before long, we got married and had an adorable son.

My heart warmed just thinking about Liam and Leo.

Snapping back to the moment, I shut him down cold.

"No thanks. I’ve got my own kid to take care of. As for yours? Maybe his biological mom should step up."

At that, Camille’s eyes filled with tears.

"Audrey, I know you hate me—that’s why you won’t accept my child."

"I want to raise Noah myself, but my body just can’t handle it…"

"I’m trusting you—that’s why I’m begging you to help. Noah’s a good boy, he won’t be any trouble. Please… just help a sick person out."

Camille put on a show of bowing her head like she was begging, but Marcus quickly rushed to prop her up and comfort her.

Then he turned, shooting me a cold glance.

"Plenty of people want to be around Noah, but I wouldn’t trust them. It’s a privilege for you to care for him—don’t be ungrateful!"

His eyes raked over my outfit, and Marcus sneered.

"Audrey, must’ve been rough living overseas these past two years, huh? You can’t even afford decent clothes for a reunion."

"Quit putting on a front. Take good care of Noah, and I’ll give you a nice monthly allowance—way more than whatever crummy job you’ve got."

Camille joined in, acting like she was the one in charge.

"Exactly. Take good care of Noah, and we’ll treat you right. At least you won’t have to dress so… basic."

That’s when everyone noticed my simple, casual clothes. Whispers erupted immediately.

"Audrey’s living such a… normal life? She doesn’t even have any designer stuff?"

"She should’ve thought twice before acting out! I heard Marcus’s career blew up right after she left. If she hadn’t run off to another country throwing a fit, she’d probably be living the high life now."

I just quirked my lips into a small smile.

They had no idea my clothes weren’t ordinary at all. They were subtly custom-made, pure silk—easily worth a fortune.

Seeing my smile, Marcus assumed I’d agreed to take Noah.

He pulled out his phone, ready to transfer money to me.

"I’ll send you some upfront. Go buy yourself nice clothes later—don’t let Noah think you’re cheap."

But as soon as he hit send, his phone showed "Transaction Failed"!