The curve at the corner of my lips froze instantly.
My son was enrolled in Starlight Bilingual Academy, a tuition well into the tens of thousands a year, with meals designed by a high-paid international nutritionist.
So how could he possibly be attending some no-name daycare?
A surge of panic and rage flooded through me, impossible to contain.
I reopened the dashcam app and resumed the footage I hadn’t finished that morning.
On the screen, Scott drove Gabriel all the way to the grand entrance of Starlight Bilingual Academy.
"Gabriel, go on. Say hello to your teacher." Scott gently hung my son’s platinum access card around the boy’s neck.
Then he drove off, turned onto a side street, and stopped in front of a run-down alley. At the end of it stood a shabby place with a rusted gate: Sunflower Daycare.
Scott turned his head, the warmth gone from his face, replaced by sheer impatience. "Noah, get out and go inside. I’ll pick you up tonight. Remember, nothing that happens today gets back to your mom."
My four-year-old son, Noah, clutching his little backpack, glanced timidly at the dark, dingy entrance. "Dad, I don’t want to go here. It smells bad… and the food isn’t good…"
"What’s with all the whining? I’ve spoiled you rotten! Get out, now!" Scott snapped.
Noah flinched, his small body trembling, tears pooling in his eyes. In the end, he could only push the door open and walk into that broken-down yard alone.
Watching his tiny, helpless figure on the screen, my chest ached so badly I could barely breathe.
How dare Scott do this?!
Noah had been born premature. He’d always been fragile. For the first three years of his life, I had never left his side—not for a second.
And now Scott had the nerve to dump him in a place like that?
That was his son too…
Tears spilled over, but I bit down hard on my lip, refusing to make a sound.
The next second, a warning icon flashed on the screen: "Video unavailable."
Scott had deleted it.
That low-life. Not only was he cheating, but he was using my money to raise his illegitimate child while dumping my own son in a slum to suffer.
The sound of running water came from the bathroom.
For a moment, I wanted nothing more than to storm in and stab him, but I held back. Confronting him now would only tip him off and give him time to move assets and destroy evidence.
I wasn’t about to let them get away with this.
Over the next few days, my life split cleanly in two. By day, I went to work like usual, leaving early and coming home late.
Even when Scott put on his fake concern, I could still force myself to smile back sweetly, swallowing the disgust.
Behind the scenes, I hired the best private investigator in the city at a premium rate to dig into Amanda’s background. I worked through the nights, pulling together every financial record and message Scott had from the past few years. I even had professionals recover the deleted dashcam footage.
In less than three days, a thick report landed in my inbox.
As I read through it, I let out a cold laugh. At the very top was a paternity test between Scott and Gabriel Cooper.
It was a confirmed biological relationship. No wonder the boy had looked familiar the first time I saw his face. He looked exactly like Scott as a child.
Another document made my blood boil even more. It was a file from Starlight Bilingual Academy. Clear as day, there was an "Enrollment Slot Transfer Agreement", signed with my name.
After thinking it through, I realized what must have happened.
Scott had used my fingerprint while I was asleep, then forged my signature, transferring the $300,000 spot to Gabriel.
That wasn’t all.
Over the past two years, under the excuses of "failed business investments" and "pulling strings", Scott had taken nearly $200,000 from our household funds.
Every cent of it had gone toward the down payment on a school-district apartment under Amanda’s name.
I organized all the evidence, backed it up, and dialed my lawyer, Daniel Carter.
"Mr. Carter, draft a divorce agreement for me. I want him walking away with nothing.
"And prepare the filings. I’m suing him for embezzlement, asset concealment during marriage, and document forgery."
After hanging up, I glanced at the desk calendar and circled tomorrow’s date in bold red ink.
Tomorrow morning was Starlight Bilingual Academy’s annual Welcome Party and Parent Open House.
Just last night, Scott had been all thoughtful and attentive when he told me, "Katie, tomorrow’s school event is going to be crowded and noisy. You’ve been working so hard lately. Why don’t you stay home and get some rest? I’ll go as the parent representative."
Since that was the case, I’d make sure to give them something unforgettable.
I sent out three messages.
The first went to my parents and Scott’s parents.
[Mom, Dad, Starlight is hosting a welcome party tomorrow morning. Scott wants everyone to come enjoy it together and see the kind of environment Noah’s studying in.]
The second went to a few of Scott’s coworkers, the ones he always complained about and didn’t get along with.
[There’s a high-end reception tomorrow morning. Scott would love for you to join.]
The last one went to the principal of Starlight, Aimee Morgan.
[I’ve prepared a special "thank-you video" for the finale of tomorrow’s party. Please arrange to have it played on the main screen.]
Everyone happily agreed.
The grand hall of Starlight shimmered with elegance at 10 a.m. on Friday. Under the glow of warm lights, the atmosphere was one of extravagant scale, filled with the clinking of glasses, laughter, and an assembly of well-dressed guests.
The catering was equally lavish, with long tables displaying imported champagne, premium wagyu, and Boston lobster.
Beaming with pride, Scott’s parents moved through the room in their new designer attire, greeting the crowd with enthusiasm.
Nearby, the coworkers Scott had invited were already mingling effortlessly, engaged in conversation with the other affluent parents in attendance.
And Scott stood at the center of it all, sharply dressed in a tailored suit, radiating confidence.
Beside him stood Amanda, dressed in a custom evening gown, her makeup flawless. Next to her was Gabriel in a tailored little suit.
"Mr. Shaw, you are truly impressive. You're successful in your career, with such a bright son, and such a beautiful, elegant wife," a business-minded parent nearby flattered him.
Scott beamed, wrapping an arm around Amanda’s waist with effortless ease, his smile full of pride. "You’re too kind," he said. "When it comes to a child’s education, spending a little extra is only natural. As long as Gabriel gets the best, I’d give up everything for him as his father."
Amanda leaned shyly into him, every bit the picture of a rightful Mrs. Shaw.
Back then, trying to catch up on the three years of career I’d sacrificed for childcare, I had never once shown up at Noah’s school. Every time I tried to attend a parent meeting or pick him up, Scott would find some excuse to stop me. So it wasn’t surprising that many of the parents didn’t recognize me.
At the time, I had even felt proud, thinking I’d married a responsible, devoted man. Now, it seemed this kindergarten had become their private playground.
I stood quietly on the second-floor balcony, watching the two of them.
Meanwhile, at the entrance of the hall, my parents, Scott’s parents, and his coworkers had all started arriving one after another.
Scott, Amanda, and the group of business parents were gathered deeper inside a private section, so he hadn’t yet seen the familiar faces I’d arranged for him, and those people hadn’t seen him either. Otherwise, just the sight of Amanda by his side would’ve been enough to raise suspicions.
Once I saw that everyone had arrived, I finally made my way down from the second floor.
Two stern-faced bodyguards in black followed behind me, drawing plenty of attention.
My mom spotted me first, waving excitedly. "Katie! Over here! We’re right here!"
The moment my name rang out, the smile on Scott’s face froze. He whipped around.
The instant he saw me, it was like he’d seen a ghost in broad daylight. His expression drained of all color.
"K-Katie? What are you doing here?"
