Jasper Edward, my senior from college, was once the heartthrob of the law department. Back in school, we were club partners. After graduation, he went abroad for further studies, and we lost touch. But now, just when I felt most helpless, here he was—like a guardian angel descending from the sky.

“Things are too chaotic here,” Jasper said, his commanding presence immediately taking control. “Let’s find somewhere quieter to talk.”

He led us to a nearby tea house, and as soon as we sat down, I felt a surge of confidence with him by my side. My tense nerves finally started to relax, and I could think clearly again.

Jasper got straight to the point, asking, “What’s on your mind right now?”

I thought about my son, asleep in the next room, and my daughter, who hadn’t said a word the whole time.

Thinking about how close those wheels came to my head, a cold silence settled in my heart. I took a deep breath and said, “Divorce. Ethan’s affair is a fact. Whether it’s an amicable split or a court battle, I’m ready.”

Ethan shot me a furious look but kept his mouth shut, turning instead to Calbe for help.

Calbe glanced nervously at Jasper, clearly uneasy. “Ms. Grace, whether we settle this amicably or go to court, the law is fair. Mr. Bower isn’t going to walk away with nothing. Your demands are a bit much. You’ve been married for eleven years, and you have two kids together. Why make this so difficult?”

Jasper leaned forward, tapping the table. “Let’s not play the sympathy card here. Mr. Bower had an affair and is also suspected of hiding assets. So much for fairness. As for the kids, the younger one is under a year old. Custody should clearly go to the mother.” Jasper shot Ethan a cold smile. “Not only will Mr. Bower leave with nothing, but he’ll also be paying child support every month.”

I watched as Ethan’s face drained of color. It was oddly satisfying.

The mistress puffed up like a peacock, snapping, “No way! Why should she get everything? She’s just a housewife who only knows how to take care of the kids, do laundry, and cook. Ethan worked hard to build that company. She hasn’t done anything, hasn’t earned a dime. Why should she get a share?”

I couldn’t help but laugh at her ignorance. “Do you even know why Ethan tried to run off with the money? It’s because I’m the legal owner of the company, and the startup capital was my money! For years, Ethan has done nothing useful except wine and dine clients. If I hadn’t kept an eye on things, he would’ve run the business into the ground long ago.”

Ethan’s anger flared as I exposed him. “Amelia, you’re out of line! Even if the company is in your name, it’s still marital property. I’m entitled to my share, so how is it embezzlement if I take what’s mine?”

I sighed, exasperated. “I’m not going to argue with you. We’ve got a lawyer here, and I’m saying the same thing: divorce. You leave with nothing, and our children stay with me.”

“That’s my son! Why should he stay with you?!”

The mistress’s words left me stunned.

I stammered, trying to process what I’d just heard. It took a moment for it to sink in.

“Ethan, what does she mean by that? Have you both been fighting for custody of my child?”

My voice wavered, trembling with disbelief.

Doubts rippled through my mind, spreading like waves.

Ethan frowned, looking like he was ready to confess everything. “Yes. She’s right. The son isn’t yours.”

“That’s ridiculous!” I shouted, my voice sharp and cutting.

My son—the one I carried for ten months, the one I brought into this world after enduring so much—how could he not be mine? It had to be a dirty trick by Ethan to take him away from me. I didn’t want to believe it, but a creeping panic settled in my chest.

“He is my son! I’ve been with him every single day since he was born. How could he not be mine?!”

Luckily, Jasper was there. He calmed me down, his voice steady. “Let’s get a paternity test,” he suggested, his expression serious.

I clung to his strong hand, feeling a glimmer of hope. “Okay, let’s do it. I’ll listen to you.”

Ethan sneered, “Fine. You’re always this stubborn. You won’t quit until you hit rock bottom, huh?”

When we arrived at the hospital, my legs felt like jelly. Jasper had to help me walk the whole way. Ethan noticed and made some snide, “tsk-tsk” sounds.

When my son turned one year old, it was his first time getting his blood drawn, and he cried his little heart out. People say there’s a special bond between a mother and child—when he cried, it felt like my heart was breaking, and I couldn’t stop my tears.

But the mistress, who claimed to be his real mother, didn’t even flinch at his cries. She just pointed to the tiny needle mark on her arm and whined to Ethan about how much the needle hurt.

Jasper handed me a tissue, his voice softening. “Don’t cry. No matter what, I’ve got your back.”

Ethan and the mistress were still smug. “What are you going to do when the results come out?” Ethan taunted.

“Yeah, you’ll have to hand over my son!” the mistress added, confident as ever.

The paternity test results would take three days. I couldn’t be bothered to argue with them, so I just turned and left.

Jasper drove us all back home, and as a thank you, I invited him upstairs for a cup of coffee. He didn’t stand on ceremony. As soon as we got inside, he asked, “Where’s your first aid kit?”

Without a word, my daughter quietly brought it over. Jasper took my wrist and started applying medicine to my hand. He was firm in his words, but his touch was gentle.

“Your hand’s just swollen and red now, but if you don’t take care of it, it could get infected, maybe even ulcerate,” he said.

I felt a wave of gratitude. I never thought anyone would care so much about something as small as this.

“Thank you! I’m so lucky you were here today. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you…”

Jasper half-joked, “I just happened to be in the right place at the right time! I’ve got this hero complex—can’t stand by when something unfair is happening. Plus, you were always my adorable junior back in school!”

We exchanged smiles, and the awkwardness between us started to melt away. Jasper shared some stories about classic divorce cases, which were both eye-opening and somewhat reassuring.

After Jasper left, I went into my kids’ room. They were both sound asleep, so peaceful. I watched my son’s face, just like I used to, but now, I couldn’t find any peace in it.

The events of the day kept playing in my mind on a loop. The more I looked at my son, the more I noticed—he really doesn’t look like me. His eyebrows, his mouth… they all remind me of someone else.

The more I thought about it, the more frightened I became. I had to force myself to look away, telling myself over and over not to let Ethan’s lies get to me. The paternity test results aren’t in yet—don’t scare yourself. Hospitals are so strict these days; there’s no way a baby could just be switched.

I tucked my son in and was about to leave when I heard my daughter whimpering in her sleep.

“No! Mom, run… Dad, don’t hurt Mom, don’t… run…”

My heart shattered all over again, and tears started streaming down my face. I leaned close to my daughter, gently stroking her head to comfort her.

“It’s okay, sweetie. Mom’s here. Don’t be afraid, Mom’s not going anywhere. I love you so much.”

I wiped the sweat from her forehead and stayed with her until she settled back into a peaceful sleep.

After leaving the room, I leaned against the wall in the hallway and slapped myself, hard. The guilt in my heart was overwhelming, but even more than that, there was a burning hatred for Ethan. His cruelty and selfishness didn’t just hurt me—they scarred our children too.

He has to pay for what he’s done. It’s what he deserves.