On our seventh anniversary, an event planner called, already hyping up my wife, Talia.

"Ms. Sweeney, we're putting a family photo of you four in the main hall. And some shots of your little princess. That okay? Also, can you confirm your son carrying his sister onstage?"

I froze.

There were only two people in our house—Talia and me.

A family of four? Two kids?

I called Talia, the hotel's general manager. She brushed it off. "Probably a client. Wrong number on a contract. I hand out cards all day."

I stared at the balloons and flowers I'd set up in the private room—then swiped them all to the floor.

Gone.

I turned and called my sister, the Director of the Business Compliance Bureau.

"Naomi, Talia's cheating. She's got two kids. Get me the best divorce lawyer. I want her out—and out of my hotel."

Didn't expect Talia to drop a bomb like that on our anniversary.

I slammed the door and tore off, pedal down, straight to Cresthaven Hotel.

"Call Talia Sweeney down. I need her."

The receptionist didn't even look up. She pointed to the side. "Fill out a form if you're here for business. Ms. Sweeney isn't seeing anyone right now."

"I'm her husband. Tell her to come down. Five minutes."

That got her attention.

She looked me up and down, all attitude. "Sir, watch what you say. That kind of claim can get you in trouble. Ms. Sweeney's husband is upstairs—having dinner with her and their child. You should leave."

Talia said keeping a "strong, independent woman" image helped her run the hotel, so I stayed out of the spotlight.

Because of that, everyone at Cresthaven only knew their GM was sharp, young, and in control.

No one knew the place was mine.

I never thought she'd spend my money behind my back, have kids with another guy, then throw some over-the-top party for that baby like it was royalty.

The receptionist picked up a call, then rushed to swipe her card and hit the elevator.

The doors slid open.

A man stepped out, holding a baby.

She rushed over. "Mr. Quigg, settling the bill? Oh—Ms. Sweeney already put it on the hotel account. You didn't have to come down! I'm so jealous. You two have been so sweet, and now you've got a daughter. Look at her—so cute!"

My face went cold as I pushed through the crowd.

Then I saw him.

Every hair on my body stood up.

Danny Quigg—the apprentice I took in years ago outside Cresthaven Hotel.

Back then, he was broke—scammed, wandering the streets with that clueless look, begging me for a job. I caved and took him in.

I taught him hotel management, set him up here with my wife so he could get some experience.

Guess they got "experience" together—behind my back. Even had two kids.

No wonder he suddenly wanted to "learn on his own." Said he didn't want to bother me every day. Only ask when needed.

He was scared I'd find out.

Who the hell did they think they were, playing me like that?

Danny saw me in the crowd and froze. Then he forced a tight smile.

"Jerome... what are you doing here?"

Danny freaked and dragged me into a corner. "Jerome, it's not what it looks like. Just go home, okay? A few days—No, tomorrow—I'll explain everything. There's nothing going on with Lia. The kid isn't mine. There are people everywhere, Jerome. Don't make a scene. Please!"

'Lia.'

Said like that—like they were close—and he still claimed nothing was going on?

"Get lost."

I swiped my private card and headed upstairs.

My head was buzzing. I just needed Talia in front of me, telling the truth.

"Talia, get out here!"

I kicked the door open.

Nothing.

Just silence.

Danny rushed up, baby in his arms, and grabbed me. "Jerome, Talia's still in a meeting. Can we talk after she's done?"

I shook him off. "Talk about what? How you've been sleeping with my wife behind my back—and had two kids with her?"

A sleepy little boy wandered out and ran straight to him, all clingy.

"Daddy, I wanna see my sister! Mommy said she's making potato salad and baked ribs tonight. She can't break her promise!"

I stared at the kid.

He looked just like Talia.

All those late nights—I thought she was grinding for her career.

Turns out, she was running a whole other family.

And me?

I'd never even had a single meal she cooked.

On the table sat a fresh family photo—four of them. Talia in Danny's arms, their son beside them, their newborn in hers.

Toys were everywhere. They'd been here a lot.

And I had no clue. Let them live easy for years.

I let out a bitter laugh, wishing I could smack myself. Then I called my assistant.

"Dig up everything. Proof of Talia Sweeney's affair. Every dollar she's spent. I want it all—and I want it back."

Danny almost dropped to his knees. "How can you do this? Talia's proud. If she loses the career she built, she's done!"

That was almost funny.

"What right do you have to negotiate with me?"

Eyes wet, he clutched the crying baby. "It's a misunderstanding. Just go home. After today, I'll come explain everything."

He sounded sincere as he edged closer, holding the kid.

I stepped back, disgusted—but he grabbed me.

Then he threw himself backward.

The baby flew—almost a yard.

"Ah—my child!"

He staggered, scooped up the screaming infant, then pointed at me, hand shaking. "What are you trying to do? You want my wife that bad you'd kill our kid?"

The staff gasped and rushed in front of him. Even the janitor lingered, whispering, pointing.

"Who is that guy? Ms. Sweeney's stalker? She's married and he still won't quit. He even tried to hurt a newborn—what a psycho."

The little boy dropped to the floor, shaking, then burst into tears. "Go away! You're not allowed to bully my dad and my sister!"

The conference room door swung open.

"What's going on?"

Danny ran over, clutching the baby, crying. "Lia—if you were a second later, you'd be looking at our daughter's dead body!"

"Stop." Talia frowned, taking the baby carefully. "Don't say that."

Then she saw me.

Panic flashed across her face.

Danny pointed at me, voice shaking. "Talia, thank God you're here. Jerome tried to kill our daughter!"

I didn't even get a word out.

Her hand cracked across my face.

"Jerome Jahn, have you lost it? You touched my daughter? Or what—you think I'll stop supporting you and you'll end up begging on the street?"

Did I hear that right? She was threatening me?

Ever since we got married, I worked from home and barely showed up at the company. She figured I was jobless, living off her—throwing me a thousand bucks a month so I wouldn't starve.

I never touched it. Everything I wore, everything I owned—it was all custom. She just couldn't tell.

So to her, I was just some stray waiting for scraps.

"Talia, I'm not interested in your pocket change."

She didn't snap. She laughed, turning to the crowd.

"Sorry you all had to see this. He's my husband's old benefactor—did him a favor once. Out of gratitude, I've been covering his food and clothes. Guess it wasn't enough. Now he's here trying to wreck our family."

Just like that, she flipped everything—swapped me with Danny and made me the pathetic leech.

I pressed my tongue to my burning cheek and walked straight at her, face cold.

Danny flinched, backing up. "Jerome, wh-what are you doing? We can talk. Talia can give you more money!"

He ducked behind her. She stepped in front, blocking me.

"Jerome, that's enough."

I stared at her, blank.

"Talia Sweeney. Since when is Danny my benefactor? And when did I ever extort him?"

She rubbed her temples, annoyed, glancing at the crowd.

"Enough, Jerome. No matter what, you don't touch my kids. I can—"

Smack.

I hit her full force. She went down hard.

Talia clutched her face and screamed.

"Disgusting. You made me dirty my hands."

She'd never been humiliated like this in public. Her glare turned vicious.

"If you're done, get out. My husband's merciful—otherwise, you'd already be in cuffs. Be smart and leave. Or I'll cut off your allowance. Don't come begging later."

"So you think money makes you untouchable? You're unbelievable."

She lifted her chin, smug. "Money's not all I have. Let me show you what else I can do.

"Security, grab him!"

Then she pulled out her phone and opened the chat app, turning the screen just enough for me to see.

"Your grandfather just had a heart transplant overseas, right? If I call him now... you think that surgery meant nothing?"

Grandpa—he only cared about me.

I struggled hard.

"You wouldn't dare! If anything happens to my grandfather, I won't let it slide. First thing I'll do is throw you out of Cresthaven Hotel!"

Her face snapped, rage taking over.

"You? Throw me out? Who the hell do you think you are?"

"Because I'm the chairman of Cresthaven!"