On our seventh wedding anniversary, my husband, Nate Anderson, told me that he had offended a mob boss. On the same night, he sent our daughter, Poppy Anderson, and I to go into hiding in the desert.

Halfway through the journey, I recalled that I had forgotten to pack my daughter’s asthma medication. Hence, I quickly went back.

However, I saw Nate celebrating with his friends in our mansion.

“Nate, aren’t you worried that Lila and Poppy are going to starve in the remote area that you’ve sent them to?”

Nate said indifferently, “Don’t worry about it. I’ve repackaged the unsold dog food from Emma’s shop and sent it to them. They won’t starve.”

Emma leaned her head against Nate’s chest.

“Baby, you’re so smart. Do you think our child will be more like you or me?”

Nate looked at her lovingly and kissed her.

“Regardless of who our child resembles, I’ll love him or her the most.”

His friend could not stand it anymore.

“Since you don’t love Lila, why did you marry her and have Poppy with her?”

Nate lit a cigarette. He looked a little cross.

“I only slept with Lila because I was afraid that Emma would think I was inexperienced, but I didn’t expect her to get pregnant after that one time.

“I only married her out of responsibility. I feel bad for Emma. She was with me for so many years, but our relationship had no label.

“If Lila finds out that Emma’s pregnant, she’ll definitely make a scene. I have no choice but to simply make up a lie and send her away.”

I stood on the other side of the door, feeling chilled to the bone.

Three years later, Nate video-called me with a big smile.

“Lila, it’s all over. Are you and Poppy doing well? I’ll come get you.”

I looked at the man, who was hugging me tightly in his sleep.

“We’re doing good! My new husband keeps me very satisfied, and Poppy has started to call him ‘Daddy.’”

On the other end of the video call, Nate Anderson was slightly stunned.

Then, he laughed.

“Lila, why are you still so stubborn? I know you’ve suffered in the desert for three years, and that you’re upset about it. You just said you have a new husband to make me feel bad, right?”

I stared coldly at his smug face.

“Nate, I’m serious.”

He did not believe me at all.

Emma Smith suddenly popped up on the screen.

She had makeup on. She was also wearing the necklace that Nate said was for me on our seventh anniversary.

“Lila, don’t be stubborn. There are only camels and sand in the desert. How could you have found a new husband? Did you randomly marry a homeless man who was walking through the desert?”

She giggled and looked at me tauntingly.

Nate pulled her into his arms.

“Emma, don’t say that. It makes sense that her mind isn’t quite right, since she’s been all alone over there with Poppy.”

I wanted to throw up when I saw them echoing each other.

“Are you done with your act? If so, goodbye.”

Nate was no longer smiling. He started scolding me with a serious expression.

“Lila, you’re being difficult. I’ve worked hard in the past three years to placate the mob boss. After dealing with that, the first thing I thought of was getting you back. Why are you acting so snarky?”

Emma added fuel to the fire, saying, “Nate, I bet Lila’s blaming you for not sending her any good food. But all that dog food was expensive! It was high in nutritional value. It always goes out of stock.”

I was triggered by her words.

“Since it’s so nutritious, why don’t you save it for yourself?”

Emma’s expression changed, and she immediately teared up.

“Nate, look at her…”

Nate immediately hugged her lovingly.

“Lila! I’ll immediately bring you and Poppy back on my private jet. You have to apologize to Emma once we’re there!”

I ended the call and tossed my phone aside.

The man behind me turned around and wrapped his strong arm around my waist.

He rested his chin on my shoulder.

“Who called you?”

I patted the back of his hand.

“A lunatic!”

Liam White did not question me any further.

He tightened his arm around me and hugged me.

“It’s Poppy’s birthday tomorrow. I got someone to put up the party decorations.”

I turned around and met his eyes.

Three years ago, I got lost in the desert while carrying Poppy in my arms. She was feverish.

She was having an asthma attack, and her breathing was shallow.

I cried desperately on the sand dune with her in my arms.

I only had the “dried food” that Nate sent me.

I opened the packages and saw that they were filled with dog food.

Just when we thought that we were about to die in the desert, Liam passed by with his team.

He brought us back to the oasis.

He got us the best doctor and saved Poppy’s life.

Over the last three years, he had been treating us very well.

He even became a father figure for Poppy. He gave Poppy and me a true home.

The next morning, at the Oasis Resort, I was about to head down to the lobby to retrieve the custom-made birthday cake for Poppy.

When I walked toward the lift, I heard a female voice screeching.

She complained, “What lousy place is this? The wind is so strong, and there is so much sand! My new bag is dirty now!”

I paused and looked over.

Nate was holding his luggage in one hand. With his other hand, he held the hand of a three-year-old boy.

Emma was walking beside them as she patted the dust off her body in disdain.

I did not expect them to find me.

Nate was stunned when he looked up. Then, he strode over.

“Lila, what are you doing here?”

He sized me up.

I was wearing a casual outfit, and I had no jewelry on.

“I work here,” I simply said.

Emma stepped forward and swept her critical gaze over me.

“Nate, just like I said, Lila must be having a terrible life here. I can’t believe she’s working as an attendant at such a lousy hotel.”

She emphasized the word “lousy”.

Nate frowned.

“Lila, go quit your job right now. I’m here to take you home today. We need someone to take care of Emma’s child. You can go back home and take care of both Emma and her child.”

I almost laughed incredulously.

“Nate, if there’s something wrong with your head, you should go see a doctor. Why would I go back with you and serve you?”

Nate’s expression sank.

“Lila, how can you say that about me? Back then, I only sent you here to protect you. Over the last three years, I was under so much pressure and I worked so hard. Things finally calmed down. Once I settled everything, I immediately came to you. Why are you throwing a tantrum?”

I felt disgusted when I saw how unapologetic he was.

“Protect me? You gave Poppy and me the unsold dog food from Emma’s shop. Is that how you protected us?”

Nate’s eyes flashed.

Emma immediately said, “Lila, how can you mistake our kindness for ill intent? That dog food was imported. If it weren’t for the fact that Nate felt bad for you, you would’ve already starved to death in the desert.”

She brought that young boy to me.

“Say hi to Lila.”

The young boy, Olly Anderson, rolled his eyes and spat at me.

“Ugly witch! I don’t want to say hi to you!”

Emma did not chastise his bad behavior. Instead, she giggled.

“Please don’t take offence. Kids always say the funniest things.”

I looked at her coldly.

“You’d better keep an eye on your son. Otherwise, I don’t mind teaching him a lesson on your behalf.”

Nate shielded Emma.

“Lila, why are you making things difficult for a child? Have you lost your manners after spending three years in the desert?”

I was about to refute him when Poppy’s bright voice called out from the lift.

“Mommy!”

She ran to me while holding a balloon.

Nate’s eyes brightened when he saw Poppy.

“Poppy, come over here and let Daddy have a good look at you.”

Poppy hid behind me and looked at Nate vigilantly.

“You’re not my Daddy. My Daddy is Liam.”

Nate’s expression fell.

“Lila! What nonsense are you teaching our child? Don’t tell me that you really found another man!”

I was too lazy to argue with him. I sneered and did not answer him. I was about to bring my daughter away, but Olly stopped us.

He stared at Poppy for a while. His gaze fell on the pink diamond necklace around Poppy’s neck.

It was a customized birthday present that Liam gave her.

A hint of jealousy flashed in Emma’s eyes when she saw Olly staring at the necklace.

“Nate, look at Poppy’s necklace. It’s a limited-edition pink diamond. How can Lila afford it on an attendant’s salary?”

Nate followed her gaze.

He sneered.

“Lila, are you willing to stoop so low for money? Are you selling yourself here?”

I slapped him, and it was so loud it echoed in the hall.

Nate’s face turned sideways from the impact.

He clutched his cheek and stared at me in disbelief.

“Lila, how dare you slap me?”

Emma screamed, “Lila, you’re insane! How can you simply hit Nate?”

Olly, who was in Emma’s arms, suddenly rushed over and rammed into me.

“Witch! How dare you hit my daddy! Get lost!”

I was furious as I pushed him away.

I did not use much strength, but Olly fell onto the floor and started wailing.

Emma cradled Olly in her arms pitifully.

“Lila, are you insane? How can you hit a three-year-old child? Nate, look at what Lila has become!”

Nate was furious. He looked at me with disappointment plain on his face.

“Lila, immediately apologize to Emma and Olly! Then, take the necklace from Poppy and give it to Emma as a token of your remorse. You shouldn’t let a child wear what you’ve stolen.”

I shielded Poppy.

“Nate, please don’t accuse me of stealing. The necklace was given to Poppy as a gift. I can’t give it to Emma.”

Nate ran out of patience when he saw how stubborn I was.

His expression darkened.

“Lila, it seems that I’m still too nice to you. If I don’t teach you a lesson, you won’t learn!”

Nate reached out and grabbed my wrist tightly. He ignored my struggles and Poppy’s cries as he dragged me to the outdoor swimming pool.