Chapter 1

My husband Derek's online shopping orders suddenly included a baby stroller.

But we don't have any children. When I asked him why he bought a stroller, he said it was a gift for a coworker's baby.

I believed him. But the next day, I found that same stroller in an Instagram post from Lily Carter, a student I'd been sponsoring.

"Our baby is already four months along. Your daddy has already prepared the stroller for you."

The photo showed a hand wearing a diamond ring resting on the stroller handle.

That ring looked exactly like Derek's custom-made wedding ring.

I checked Derek's bank statements and discovered he'd transferred three hundred thousand dollars to Lily not long ago.

I didn't cry or make a scene. I turned around and called my father:

"Dad, Derek not only cheated on me, he even has a child. I'm going to leave him with nothing."

My father quickly responded:

"That bastard! Don't worry, sweetheart. I'll contact a lawyer right away. He dares to treat you like this? We'll make him pay!"

I forced down my disgust and continued scrolling through Lily's Instagram.

One month ago: "We finalized our house today! The neighborhood is amazing! Thank you to my special someone for giving us this warm home."

The photo showed a property deed.

This was the house Derek had bought with my money, claiming it was an investment. He'd turned around and given it to his mistress. The thought of him using my money to support his mistress and illegitimate child made me sick.

Two months ago: "My love says he loves me and baby the most, and will give us the best life. Tonight's steak was incredible!"

The photo showed an upscale restaurant with premium steaks on the table—the kind I couldn't even bring myself to order.

I remembered that day. I'd suggested celebrating my promotion at that restaurant, but Derek had frowned and said it was too expensive. We'd ended up eating takeout at home instead.

Four months ago: "I'm pregnant! Baby, your daddy is so happy he's acting like a fool!"

The photo showed her and Derek with their fingers interlaced over her belly.

Each photo cut into my heart like a knife.

Derek sat on the couch scrolling through his phone. I wondered if he was chatting with Lily right then.

Looking at his hypocritical face, the love in my heart completely transformed into hatred.

Derek, you think you can get away with this?

I'm Victoria Hayes, and I don't take this kind of treatment lying down.

I walked into the study and opened my laptop.

As the heir to SGA Group, I had plenty of ways to make him regret this.

I first had someone investigate Lily.

Lily was a student I'd sponsored through college. She'd even visited our home twice.

I'd welcomed her warmly back then. And now both of them had betrayed me.

On the surface, she and Derek barely knew each other. Who would have thought they'd been hiding a child behind my back!

Our last contact was six months ago when she told me she'd graduated and landed a job at a good company.

Through my investigation, I discovered she'd joined Derek's company.

What infuriated me was that neither Derek nor Lily had ever mentioned this to me. They must have started their affair even earlier to be hiding this guilty secret!

These two!

The next morning, Derek gently woke me as usual.

"Victoria, breakfast is ready." He kissed my forehead. "I have an important client meeting today. I might be home late."

I forced a smile. "Okay, your work comes first."

A flicker of something crossed his eyes—probably surprise that I was being so agreeable.

"Victoria, I'll probably be busy the next few days. Don't read too much into it."