Verity's teeth were clenched so tight they could've cracked. Her head was filled with one thing only-

Lilah had to go.

"Take care of yourself? Please," she scoffed, tone gradually regaining its usual arrogance. "Aiden's depended on me since he was a baby. For his sake, Gabriel won't just throw me out like that."

Instead of getting mad, Lilah's expression was laced with a cold, almost pitying sneer.

"Depended on you? Do you actually think you're irreplaceable?" she said slowly. "This house doesn't need someone scheming behind fake smiles. Aiden deserves better than a pretender playing nanny."

"You-" Verity's face darkened, anger rising.

But Lilah didn't give her a chance to hit back. Her voice turned sharp, no room left for pretense. "Whatever dirty tricks you're cooking up-save it. As long as Gabriel and I aren't divorced, you'll never step into this family."

"You should pack up while you can. Otherwise, don't blame me when there's no exit left."

"Leave?" Verity's temper finally snapped. "Cut the act, Lilah. Who do you think you are?"

"I've been here three years! I'm not going anywhere just because you say so!"

Done pretending, Verity turned and stormed out, heels echoing with fury.

As the sound of her footsteps faded, Lilah found herself oddly calm.

Verity had walked all over the former Lilah for three whole years-no wonder Lilah now had to clean up the mess and rebuild everything.

Honestly, letting Verity stay around was even better. Kicking her out now would be letting her off too easy.

Debts needed paying. Every little one of them.

Even if the title of "Mrs. Wallace" didn't mean much anymore, it still gave Lilah a right to stand here. Legally, she was still the lady of this house.

Gabriel hadn't brought up divorce again either lately.

Lilah felt a strange kind of emptiness.

She didn't expect Gabriel to fall for her. That wasn't the point.

What mattered was that Aiden was finally opening up to her.

The thought of her son's sweet little gestures made her expression soften.

Upstairs in the study, the heavy oak door dampened every last echo of the clash downstairs.

Behind the spacious desk, Gabriel was buried in documents, his whole posture composed and sharp.

Not far away, Aiden was sitting on the carpet, flipping through a picture book quietly-not at all like a typical three-year-old.

Every now and then, Gabriel's eyes drifted from the page to his son's fluffy little head.

Eventually, he set down his pen and rubbed his temples.

"Aiden," he said, tone surprisingly gentle, as if testing the waters, "why do you want your mom to come along?"

Aiden lifted his head from the book. His voice was soft, tentative.

"Mom is really nice now," he mumbled.

He paused, seeming to search for the right words.

"She doesn't yell. She reads me stories. This mom is... good."

Something in Gabriel's chest gave a strange thump, unexpected and unfamiliar.

For a second, he just sat there, thrown off balance by that sudden tug at his heart.

He exhaled, reined it in.

"Keep reading," he said, tone reverting back to cool.

Aiden glanced up at his dad's now expressionless face, then quietly lowered his head again and stayed silent.

...

The next morning, the sunlight poured in just right.

Lilah sat in front of her laptop, blinking in disbelief when she spotted one particular email in her inbox.

It was from Damien Hart.

Her eyes stung.

The older brother she hadn't seen in ages-someone the former Lilah never managed to reach before the end.

A wave of guilt welled up.

Then she clicked the message open.The anonymously submitted business proposal hit Hart Group's biggest issue right on the nose.

Though Damien was still trying to figure out who this mysterious advisor really was...

Damien messaged: "It's truly an honor to have your guidance. May I know how to address you?"

Reading that respectful tone, Lilah couldn't help but smile wryly.

She typed her reply carefully.

"No need. If your company runs into any issues later, feel free to reach out."

She shut her laptop and leaned back, closing her eyes. That old, familiar rush of victory pumped through her chest.

She'd finally got a foothold in the Hart family's business-her first real move in this strange world.

"Ma'am," Nina pushed open the door gently, a smile on her face. "Before Mr. Wallace left, he mentioned today is Aiden's outdoor playtime. He asked if you could join him more often lately. Seems like the little guy really enjoys hanging out with you."

Lilah opened her eyes, the excitement from before not yet gone, only now layered with a new, warmer joy.

She stood up instantly, a genuine, bright smile spreading across her face.

"All right. Got it."

Gabriel's move wasn't subtle-it was a clear shift.

Not only had he stopped pushing for a divorce-he was even encouraging her to be part of Aiden's life.

She quickly changed into something comfy and headed downstairs with light steps.

Out in the garden, in the shaded gazebo-

Aiden was crouched down, feeding snacks to a puppy.

Lilah walked up softly, not wanting to interrupt. She sat down beside him and quietly watched.

Aiden looked up, his eyes lighting up the moment he saw her.

"Mom!"

There was no timidity this time, just a natural warmth in his voice.

"The puppy's collar broke," he said, holding up the frayed piece in his hand.

Lilah smiled, took it from him, and called a maid over.

"Can you bring a new collar? Aiden, what color do you like?"

Aiden tilted his head, thinking for a moment. "I like blue."

"Perfect-Mom loves blue too."

Lilah's tone was light and gentle as she waved the maid off.

It didn't take long for the maid to return with a brand-new light blue collar.

Aiden leaned close against Lilah, his little head brushing her arm as he watched her carefully put the new collar on the puppy.

The usually mischievous little dog was surprisingly calm in her hands, letting her adjust everything without protest.

"Mom, you're amazing..." Aiden said, smiling wide and full of admiration.

Lilah laughed, gently ruffling his hair.

Aiden grabbed her hand and stood up, and the two of them, hand in hand, walked the puppy to the lawn.

From a distance, Verity watched the cozy scene, her gaze sharpening.

Seeing how Aiden depended on Lilah with zero reservations made her lip curl in displeasure.

Just a few days of playing the good mom, and Lilah had completely won him over.

Even Gabriel seemed to be taking her side now!

Clenching her fists tight, Verity's nails bit into her palms-a sharp sting grounding her boiling emotions.

Lilah-do you really think you've already won?

With a cold gleam in her eyes, Verity quietly turned and walked away.

By evening, Gabriel came back early-well before dinner.

His assistant, Lance Owen, was right behind him, arms full of files as they headed straight for the study.

Gabriel, waiting for supper, kept himself busy going over paperwork.

But before long, a maid came knocking.

Without looking up, he said coolly, "Come in."

The maid hurried inside. "Sir, something about young master Aiden-I need to speak with you."

Gabriel lifted his eyes from the open file, his dark gaze locking onto the maid.

"What happened to Aiden?"

His voice was low and calm, but the maid immediately looked uneasy, lowering her head further.

Out of Gabriel's view, a flicker of hesitation flashed in her eyes before she finally braced herself and spoke. "This afternoon, Mrs. Wallace suddenly changed the meal plan. But according to past protocols, Master Aiden shouldn't be eating that."

"Changed the meals?" Gabriel's tone dropped a few degrees colder.

Seeing his face darken, the maid hurried on, "Yes, she even kept the chef out and made the food herself... I'm worried it might upset Master Aiden's health."

Before she even finished, Gabriel was already up, striding straight toward the garden.

Verity, who'd been lurking nearby, trailed after him with a gleam of schadenfreude in her eyes.

Lilah, now you're in for it.

Gabriel takes Aiden's well-being very seriously, and here you are messing things up without permission.

She'd been looking after the kid for three years-no one knew him better than her.

Gabriel won't let this slide.

Lilah, brace yourself!

Under a parasol in the garden, Aiden leaned cozily against Lilah's side, their heads nearly touching.

Lilah held a picture book, gently pointing at the illustrations as she read with soft patience.

"The round moon rose, like a gentle lamp in the sky, or a cradle swinging quietly among the stars. It lit up the little path like silver, whispering, 'Goodnight, little one.' And the child knew-Mom was always there, watching over him."

Sunlight brushed across her focused profile; Aiden listened intently, his little face full of trust and calm. Every so often he pointed at something in the book, asking in his soft baby voice.

Lilah wore a loose, elegant dress, hair tied up, showing her beautiful, serene face.

Her cool voice carried just enough warmth to make hearts itch.

This peaceful little scene caught Gabriel off guard.

His steps slowed without him realizing, the tight line of his jaw easing unconsciously.

Something unfamiliar stirred in his chest.

Aiden had his features, but his vibe definitely took more from Lilah.

When he smiled, it was like both their faces blended into one.

"Daddy!" Aiden was the first to notice Gabriel and called out with a happy grin.

Lilah looked up at the sound, a bit puzzled seeing Gabriel stride over with that intense look.

She gave Aiden a soft pat on the back. "Sweetie, keep reading for a bit, okay?"

"What did you eat this afternoon?" Gabriel cut straight to the point, eyes on Aiden.

Aiden hesitated, shrinking his shoulders. "Mom made me seafood risotto..."

He could tell Gabriel wasn't exactly pleased and looked a bit scared. Lilah frowned.

"Gabriel, what's going on?" She stood, gaze calm and steady.

Gabriel shifted his glare from Aiden to Lilah.

Whatever softness had just flickered in his heart froze over quick.

"You really went ahead and changed his meals? Didn't I say you're not supposed to handle that?"

Lilah met his sharp stare without flinching. "His old diet was too repetitive. What I've planned is more balanced nutritionally and tastes better. It suits his current growth needs."

"Is that so?" Gabriel's face stayed unreadable. "Funny, considering you've never really cared about him. How would you know what he needs?"

That one sentence hit Lilah right in the chest, making her heart sink.Thinking about how the original her was pushed to the edge for three full years just made her heart ache even more.

"I'm just trying to do what any mother should. Even if I went to a nutritionist, they'd tell you this makes sense. Aiden is my child-I'd never hurt him. Since when is a mom taking care of her kid something wrong?"

Usually so composed, Lilah finally broke down, voice catching halfway through her words.

Aiden tossed aside his picture book and looked up at her, eyes full of worry. He reached out, trying to wipe away her tears with his small hand.

Lilah bent down and hugged him tightly, her watery eyes shimmering under the sunlight, making her look heartbreakingly gentle.

His pure, innocent eyes made the pain in her chest worse.

In the original ending, Aiden died from neglect and a desperate act of rebellion.

Now, she just wanted to love him double-make up for everything.

Instead, she got shut down cold by Gabriel.

"Aiden's my son. Of course I know him best. You can switch back the meal plan, but don't question my love for him, ever. You're hardly around, and I'm the one here, being his mother. Isn't that what I'm supposed to do?"

Aiden, flustered, clumsily used his sleeve to wipe away her flowing tears.

Still wrapped in her arms, he looked at his dad. Lilah met Gabriel's eyes with a steady gaze, unwilling to back down.

Gabriel didn't say a word.

Why did it suddenly feel like he was the villain in all this?

Watching them hold each other so tightly, he slowly crouched down.

The sudden move caught Lilah off guard for a second.

Gabriel looked at his son at eye-level. His voice was low, calm, but more serious than ever. "Aiden, tell Dad-do you really like the meals Mom makes? You really want her to keep doing it?"

Aiden lifted his head from Lilah's arms and nodded furiously. "Yep. I want Mom's food!"

"Alright then. She'll take care of it."

Gabriel stood up again, his eyes resting a moment on Lilah's tear-stained face.

It wasn't often he saw her cry.

Since when did she become this tearful?

It was like he'd been bullying her this whole time.

Verity arrived just then, clearly expecting a scene, her smile screaming "drama incoming."

Seeing Lilah in tears, hugging Aiden, and staying silent, Verity smirked, soaking it all in.

Knew it-Gabriel was about to tear into that woman.

Maybe today was the day she'd finally get kicked out of the house.

"Verity, perfect timing." Gabriel's tone shifted.

"Starting today, you're off Aiden's meal plan. Stick to your actual job."

His words were sharp-no room for discussion.

"Huh?" Verity froze, smile vanishing instantly.

"Lilah's in charge from now on. Got a problem with that?"

The way Gabriel narrowed his eyes, the way the air seemed to drop ten degrees-Verity panicked.

"N-Nope, no problem. Got it."

"I'll go let the chef and Mr. Reed know right away!"

That damn Lilah. Why did she always manage to turn it around?

Just because she's that brat's biological mom?

Verity dropped her gaze instantly, resentment burning in her eyes.

She didn't dare meet Gabriel's stare, turning stiffly and leaving in defeat.

Now it was just the three of them in the garden again.

Gabriel didn't walk away.

Lilah still had glistening tears clinging to her lashes-long and dark, like they'd been brushed by rain.

Her eyes, washed clear by crying, looked like they could see straight through someone's soul.

She didn't look a thing like the woman who used to scream and break down at the drop of a hat.

Gabriel had never really taken a good look at her before-not like this. And something inside him shifted.

Lilah blinked and met his eyes.

They were close. So close, even the tiniest emotions in each other's eyes were visible.

Time seemed to stretch, forming a pause between one heartbeat and the next.

Looking into Gabriel's calm, dark eyes, Lilah instinctively pressed her lips together. Something unfamiliar stirred quietly in her chest.

Gabriel's gaze flicked across her face, then settled back on Aiden.

"Daddy..." Aiden, of course, was clueless about the subtle tension between the adults.

Gabriel reached out and gently pulled his son closer, their eyes meeting.

Even if he wasn't the most hands-on dad, Gabriel always had a soft spot for his son.

"Aiden, whether it's something you like or don't like... I want you to tell me, okay?"

There was a brief pause before Gabriel hesitantly patted Aiden's soft hair, a sigh escaping him.

This kid was so quiet and reserved, barely made a peep most of the time.

Gabriel had always assumed Aiden didn't have much to say, but maybe... he just never bothered to ask what his son truly needed.

"Mm..." Aiden gave a small nod after hesitating.

Then, suddenly, he stepped back and tugged on Lilah's hand.

"Mommy, come here!"

Caught off guard, Lilah stumbled forward and landed right into a warm chest.

His heartbeat thudded against her, so close and steady it made her ears buzz.

Gabriel stiffened.

Flustered, Lilah quickly scrambled out of his arms.

Aiden looked up at them seriously. "Daddy, Mommy, please don't fight."

"We're not fighting," Gabriel finally said after a long silence, his voice low.

"Then can you and Mommy stay together forever?" Aiden blinked up at him, eyes wide and hopeful. "I really like Mommy... She said she won't be mad anymore, so Daddy, you need to forgive her too, okay?"

Lilah darted her eyes toward him in shock. Aiden continued tugging at Gabriel's shirt with both hands.

Oh no, sweetie, what are you even saying?!

Gabriel's expression darkened instantly. His eyes clouded over, emotions boiling underneath the surface.

Aiden must've sensed the shift-he looked scared. "Daddy?"

The silent pressure filling the air made the little boy visibly uneasy.

Gabriel still didn't say anything.

"Mm..." Aiden's lips quivered before he broke into soft sobs.

Gabriel's brow furrowed, then loosened as he clumsily patted Aiden's back. "It's okay, Aiden. Don't cry."

At the same time, Lilah instinctively reached over to wipe the tears from Aiden's cheeks. "It's alright, honey. Don't cry..."

Their hands briefly met near Aiden's face, then just as quickly pulled away.

Lilah hurried to change the subject. "It's almost dinner time... Let's just go."

She couldn't afford to let Aiden keep rambling. It would only make Gabriel's suspicions worse.

They'd only just started to rebuild a bit of trust-she didn't want it crumbling again now.

Gabriel didn't say another word. Holding Aiden in his arms, he turned and strode toward the main house.

Lilah stood frozen for a second before anxiously following after them.

Aiden's little outburst had completely thrown off her plans.

But he was only three-of course he would ache for both his parents' love.

Maybe he'd always been longing for that complete, happy family...

By the time dinner was over, Lilah made a point of not interrupting Gabriel's time with Aiden.

She headed back to her room, opened her laptop, and tried to focus on the flood of financial data.

The proposal she'd given the Hart Group had yielded outstanding results.

With the commission she'd earned, she'd started dipping her toes into some light investments.

Truth be told, every firm she'd contacted so far kept pressing her about who she really was.

Some were even throwing out jaw-dropping offers, trying to hire her outright.

But Lilah politely turned them all down one by one and kept skimming through documents.

Just then, someone banged on the door. Tight and fast.

Her instincts immediately flipped the alert switch.

That wasn't Nina's usual knock.

Lilah stood, straightened her clothes a bit, walked to the door, and turned the handle.A wave of icy tension rushed in uninvited.

Gabriel's tall frame filled the doorway, cutting off most of the light from the hall.

He stepped into the room, swinging the door shut behind him with a loud bang.

The bedroom light lit up his sharp, handsome face in full detail.

Lilah froze for a second, then stammered nervously, "Gabriel, you-"

Before she could finish, Gabriel grabbed her slender wrist firmly.

"Ah!" The sudden grip made her cry out in pain.

She looked up, right into those deep, unreadable eyes.

"Lilah," Gabriel said in a low, threatening tone, "cut the act."

"Even if you are Aiden's biological mother, you can't use him like a chess piece. Just stop, or get out."

Use him? He actually thought she was using Aiden?

Lilah's head snapped up, eyes brimming with tears, her expression full of disbelief and hurt.

"All Aiden wants is to see his parents get along... Gabriel, I don't care if you don't trust me. But how could you question his feelings like that? How could you accuse me-like I'm poisoning the way he thinks?"

The heartache in her voice shattered her composure, tears rolling down her pale cheeks.

Gabriel opened his mouth slightly, as if to respond, but no sound came out. His grip slowly loosened.

"I won't let anyone hurt Aiden," he said hoarsely, voice rough with emotion.

What Aiden said today had made him doubt her. He thought maybe she'd coached the boy.

Lilah yanked her arm free, red finger marks already appearing on her skin.

She backed up a step, but her eyes never wavered.

"Aiden's a smart kid-he knows who really cares about him. If I'd ever done anything to hurt him, you think he'd be this close to me? He wouldn't call me 'Mom' with such sincerity. I've always honored his trust. I've never lied to him."

Gabriel let go completely, his chiseled features clouded with conflict.

Noticing his wavering, Lilah pressed on.

"I mean what I said-and that won't change."

There was a long silence.

Then Gabriel quietly turned and left, not saying another word.

Only after he was gone did Lilah's tense shoulders finally slump in exhaustion.

Would he ever fully trust her again?

Out in the hallway, Verity clutched the stairs' handrail, eyes locked on the door Gabriel had just disappeared behind.

The eerie quiet sent sharp waves of jealousy and anxiety through her.

He'd actually gone to Lilah's room, on his own!

For three years, he'd never once sought her out like that.

Why now? What changed?

As Gabriel's figure slipped out of view, Verity rushed after him.

"Gabriel, it's late... what are you still doing here?"

She reached out, trying to grab his sleeve.

But he smoothly dodged her hand without missing a beat.

"Let Lily know Aiden's new diet plan," he tossed over his shoulder, not even slowing down.

Verity stood frozen in place.

He called her Lily?

Not Lilah. Not like he always did.

That's not right... Something's really off.

All these years, Gabriel had never been this warm toward her...

And now-this sudden change?

Why? Why like this?

That woman, Lilah!

Verity's expression turned downright ugly.

Not far away, Nina walked by with a cup in her hand, casually taking in Verity's sour face.

She didn't react outwardly, but inside, she rolled her eyes hard.

Now that Mr. and Mrs. Wallace were finally getting on better terms, this one's already dying of jealousy.

That face of hers looked like it was about to turn green. As if she had any right to pout!

Oh well-Gabriel sure didn't look like he hated his wife or anything...

Nina bounced up the stairs with an extra spring in her step.

If Mrs. Wallace found out about this? Man, she'd be thrilled!