In my past life, Killian cut off all his mistresses and spoiled me rotten, doing everything to win my hand in marriage. But the day before our wedding, I overheard him boasting to his friends.

"Killian, that orphan girl you supported is still clinging to you. She's younger and prettier than your fiancée. Are you really not tempted?"

Killian curled his lip in disdain, "What is she even? She isn't even fit to lick my wife's toes. Tell her to get lost."

His words sent a rush of euphoria through me. He had told me himself that financing Vivienne Moore was merely a strategic move to bolster my charity foundation. At that moment, I truly believed I had found my happily ever after.

But on the wedding day, the orphan girl drove her car straight into me. She sobbed and pulled out a terminal diagnosis.

"Killian, I don't have much time left. I beg you. Don't abandon me, please!"

I got injured in a collision and pleaded with Killian to take me to the hospital first, but he scooped her up in his arms without a second glance.

"Sierra, I need to take Vivienne abroad for medical treatment. If I were her husband, it would be way easier for me to get stuff done. We have to get a divorce first. I’m sorry.”

I stared at him, my eyes widening in sheer shock.

He kept going, his voice stead, “I promise I'll come back and marry you in five years. Just wait for me.”

Five years turned into ten, and I waited for him in vain, nothing more than a fool.

It wasn't until I was on my deathbed that I received his letter, "I'm sorry, Sierra. I'll marry you in the next life."

I tore the letter to shreds and died of sheer rage. Yet, when I opened my eyes again, I was back on my wedding day. I calmly gazed after Killian as they faded into the throng. Then, without hesitation, I turned around and boarded a plane to Switzerland.

It wasn't until five years later that I crossed paths with Killian again. The moment his eyes landed on the little girl in my arms, they instantly turned bloodshot.

"You're pregnant? Wait…are you actually scavenging through trash with my child? Oh, my god! How skinny she is! What kind of mom are you, anyway?

He rattled on and on in front of me, but it took a solid moment for the reality to sink in. It was Killian, my ex-husband, the man I had divorced five years ago.

He kept harping on, "Why is she so scrawny? Sierra, how could you be such a failure of a mother?"

I just brushed him off, yet he wouldn’t stop gabbing, "Why are you even here? Are you just putting on a pathetic show because you knew I was coming to inspect the area?"

Clutching my little daughter tightly, I couldn't be bothered to waste my breath on him.

The gorgeously dressed woman in designer labels, clinging possessively to his arm, was none other than Vivienne, the orphan girl he used to support. My thoughts drifted back to five weeks ago.

[Flashback]

I was busy preparing for the wedding at that time, but he, the man who supposed to be cold and ruthless, suddenly decided to finance a high school girl from an orphanage and let her move into our home. Her name was Vivienne Moore‌.

She was sallow, emaciated, and dressed in rags. Overcome with maternal instinct, I not only prepared nutritious meals for her but also stayed up late to tutor her. Thanks to my care, Vivienne blossomed, becoming lively and radiant. She excelled in her studies and successfully got into Harvard.

However, I never expected that the first thing Vivienne would do after turning eighteen was to get into Killian's bed.

[End of Flashback]

Seeing that I remained silent, Killian fixed his gaze on my daughter, frowning in displeasure, "Why is it a girl? Don’t you know the Moretti‌’s family rule? It clearly stipulates that the heir must be male. How am I supposed to explain this to the family if you only give me a daughter?"

It finally dawned on me that Killian thought the daughter in my arms was his. I let out a cold, humorless laugh. I never thought he could be so delusional.

I had waited for Killian my entire previous life in vain. How could he possibly expect me to make the same mistake again? Suppressing the anger rising in my chest, I took a deep breath and stepped back, shielding my daughter.

"You've misunderstood. The child isn't yours…"

Before I finish my words, Vivienne abruptly cut me off. She shook Killian's arm and whined in a sickeningly sweet voice, "Killian, I can bear sons for you! I’m fully recovered now. I can give you a whole football team if you want."

Killian pinched her nose affectionately, "You've just recovered. How could I bear to put you through that? You just need to stay by my side and be my princess."

Then, he turned to me and spat out his accusation, "Vivienne has been stuck abroad suffering through treatment for the past five years. But all you’ve ever cared about is fighting your stupid power games with her. Not a single word of concern ever crossed your mind. You’re a cold-blooded fucking monster! You never deserved a single ounce of her kindness! Only sweet, innocent Vivienne could still be so dumbly besotted with you that she’d beg me to come all this way just to check if you’re still okay!

His words left me speechless. I just sighed and rolled my eyes. In my previous life, my inbox was constantly flooded with travel photos and private videos from Vivienne every now and then. It had been the same for the past five years. I had flipped through those photos. Vivienne looked rosy-cheeked and robust. She didn't look like a sick patient in the slightest.

I couldn't be bothered to waste another second on them, so I just waved the trash-picking tongs in front of them. Vivienne stomped her feet and screamed in terror.

Killian looked me up and down, covering his nose in disgust as he stepped back. "Look at yourself. You look no different from a beggar. I know you're desperate to remarry me. But I never said I wouldn't take you back. There's no need to threaten me with my kid."

My daughter was frightened and buried herself in my arms, wailing loudly. Killian's expression suddenly softened. He reached out, trying to hold her.

"Don't cry. I'm Daddy. Come home with me. Don't stay with this crazy woman."

Upon hearing his words, my daughter’s wails only grew louder.

"Go away! You are not my daddy! You're the bad guy who bullies my mommy. I hate you!"

Killian was publicly humiliated, and his face immediately darkened.

He looked at me coldly. "How did you raise my kid? You've brought her up over five years, but she's picked up nothing but bad habits! Give her to me right now! I'll take her back and discipline her properly!"

There isn't a mother who can put up with her child getting cursed out.

I clenched my fist and glared at him, “Don't get the wrong idea. She is not your kid. She has nothing to do with you.”

Killian paused for a moment, but he quickly burst out mocking laughter, "Sierra, you're just a stubborn old mule. Stop faking it. I won't mistreat my own child, anyway."

He pulled out a wad of cash from his pocket and slapped it hard against my face, "Look at how shabby you and your daughter are! Take it and buy some decent clothes.

Don't embarrass me."

With that, He put his arm around Vivienne and strode away arrogantly.

I lowered my head, looking at my dust-covered orange vest, and silently cursed him for being a snob.

What Killian didn't know was that the short-sleeved shirt I was wearing underneath was a custom style by the top brand Cortieri‌, worth $150,000. The seemingly ordinary cartoon jacket on my daughter was also incredibly expensive.

In fact, there were many things that Killian had no clue about. I had remarried and had my daughter four years ago. There was absolutely no chance of me remarrying him. Besides, picking up trash right now was simply for the sake of an environmental protection campaign.

Just then, my phone's exclusive ringtone chimed. On the phone, a husky male voice came through, "Honey, you must work hard on the inspection tour. I have a private lounge there. You can take our daughter and go rest. Don't tire yourself out."

“Mhm.” I nodded.

"My work doesn't end until this afternoon. I miss you so much and can't wait to see you."

Hearing my husband’s spoiled, affectionate tone, a wave of sweetness surged in my heart.

Hanging up the phone, I led my daughter to the lounge. But before I could even open the door, I heard ambiguous panting coming from inside at the entrance. I carefully pushed the door open, only to find Killian and Vivienne locked in a tight, passionate embrace on the sofa. I hurriedly covered my daughter's eyes and ears.

Killian, embarrassed and enraged, grabbed a tea cup at hand and hurled it at me, "Who let you in? Is this a place a beggar like you can just waltz into? This isn't any place for the beggar like you to be."

The glass shattered against my forehead, raising an instant lump. The pain made stars dance in my vision.

Several project managers rushed over, apologizing to Killian in a servile tone, "We are so sorry, Mr. Killian. It was our negligence. We'll get her out of here right away."

They immediately grabbed my hands, trying to drag me out.

I angrily shook off their hands and ranted, "This lounge was prepared for me! Who gave you the nerve to kick me out?"

The lounge fell into a heavy silence. A moment later, they erupted into mocking laughter. Seeing that no one believed me, I was about to take out my phone to verify my identity. But Killian strode over, snatched my phone, and smashed it onto the floor.

"You must be daydreaming. This lounge belongs exclusively to the godfather, Nicolas Voss‌. I can only bring myself to stay here for a short time on official business. Who do you think you are? You think you have the right to come and go as you want around here?”

Several pot-bellied men looked me up and down. They asked, "Mr. Killian, who is she?"

Killian replied with a casual air, "Just a poor wretch who was tried in vain to change my mind."

Vivienne giggled at his words, tracing circles on his chest with her slender fingers, "Killian, how could you put him on the spot like that? You're so mean."

Enraged on by Killian's merciless insults and degradation, those managers treated me with loathing. Their vicious slander against me came in waves.

"I've dealt with trash like you a hundred times before. You are willing to do anything for money. Mr. Killian, if you don't mind, why not let me have a fun? It's been a while since I've had any action."

I clamped my hands tightly over my daughter's ears to shield her from the filth.

"You go too far! There's a child here!"

Despite my strenuous efforts, my daughter was still terrified and started crying in fear.

Killian sensed that something went wrong. He was displeased and roared, "Who told you to say such things? Do you have a death wish? "

Those men looked at each other and shut their mouths in confusion.

I have no time to bother with them. It took me so much effort to comfort my daughter in my arms. When I finally looked up, I found Killian staring at me with a complicated expression, a hint of reluctance in his eyes.

Killian was just about to say something, but Vivienne interrupted him. She put on a mask of exaggerated gentleness and magnanimity.

"Sierra, you must be hard raising a child alone all these years. You know I am still recovering and I happen to need a nanny. Why don't you come to take care of me? I can pay you $4,000 a month. You can earn much more than picking through trash."

Hearing this, Killian immediately pulled her closer. "Vivienne, you are so gentle and sensible."

Vivienne leaned shyly against his chest. She over-the-top acting gave my goose bumps.

I brushed it off with disdain, "No thanks, I really like my job."

Then, I ignored Killian's darkening expression and directly turned to leave with my daughter. They're both crazy. I couldn’t take them on, but I could certainly dodge them.

Behind me came the sound of things being smashed, accompanied by Killian's furious roar. "Sierra, why are you letting yourself go like this? Get back here!"

I dismissed him and just slammed the door shut with all my might.

Walking out of the lounge, I couldn’t keep in contact with Nicolas immediately because Killian had smashed my phone. I had no choice but to find a shady spot to rest until Nicolas came to pick us up.

My daughter leaned against me, "Mommy, who are those people just now? Why are they swearing? When did Daddy come to pick us up?"

I softly kissed her forehead and explained, "They are all bad guys. Don't pay attention to them. Daddy will be here soon. We’ll wait a bit longer.”

My daughter nodded vigorously. Looking at her adorable face, I reached out and stroked her head.

“I’ll go buy a bottle of water. Stay put here and wait for me, will you?”

“Okay.”

“I’ll be back soon.”

A few minutes later, I heard my daughter's heart-wrenching scream, "Mommy! Mommy! Let go of me!"

I rushed back and found Vivienne choking my daughter's neck and violently slamming her against the ground. The scene before my eyes made me so angry I felt like I was about to burst.

I immediately rushed forward and slapped Vivienne hard across the face. At that moment, I was blinded by rage and completely lost my reason. I struggled to tear my daughter out of her grasp just as Killian came charging over.

Vivienne cried, clutching her swollen face as she threw herself into his arms and wailed, "Killian, I just saw her daughter alone and wanted to keep her company out of kindness. But she suddenly bit me. I just talked to her, but I didn't expect Sierra to slap me right away."

Looking at the red handprint on Vivienne's face and the bloody bite mark on her hand, Killian was burned with anger, his eyes were filled with a chilling frost.

"Sierra, just look at the kid you've raised!"

He ordered his underlings to hold me down, "Vivienne, beat her back."

Vivienne didn't hesitate to slap me hard.

"Mommy! Mommy!" my daughter cried out from behind.

Killian picked up my daughter, "Be good. I wouldn't have punished your mother if she hadn't been so rough. Don't worry, you are my daughter, and I will treat you well."

My daughter's cries cut through my nerves like a sharp knife. I stumbled and crawled toward her, but his underlings grabbed my hair and pinned me to the ground.

Killian looked down at me sideways, his eyes full of disgust. "A wretch like you doesn't deserve to be a mother. I'll take her with me. You will never see her again."

"Killian!" I screamed, grabbing his ankle. My nails dug deep into his flesh as I roared out the truth.

"Please. She is only three years old! She is absolutely not your child! She is Nicolas's daughter! And I…I’m Nicolas's wife!"

As my words fell, everyone around us was instantly struck with astonishment.