After seven years of marriage, my husband grew tired of our quiet life and took a college student as his mistress.

That fragile, pitiable girl held Alain Roth so completely he didn't come home for an entire month, no matter how I begged.

On our son's third birthday, I came to their villa, holding the feverish child and pleading for him to return. Inside, he stayed lost in passion with her.

Jeff Roth drew his last breath in my arms while their pleasure echoed through the night.

At the funeral, Alain held me and wept, swearing he would return to the family and love only me. I agreed, driven solely by Jeff's dying wish.

Four years later, a video from his old kindergarten surfaced, showing Alain with a radiant Mabel Flores and a three-year-old boy.

The boy smiled brightly at the camera, lifting a trophy high. "Mom, Dad, we're the happiest family in the world!"

My husband, Alain Roth, didn't come home until deep into the night. The moment the lights flicked on, I covered my swollen, tear-stained eyes.

He paused, then walked over. "Still awake?"

A faint scent of baby formula wafted through the air, freezing me in place. It was the exact kind our son, Jeff Roth, had loved.

It was pricey and could only be bought through Alain's connections. So, everyone else already knew he had another son, and they had all helped him hide it from me.

I swallowed the bitter surge in my throat, opened the kindergarten video, and turned the screen toward him. He stiffened, panic flickering in his eyes.

"That is Mabel's child," he stammered. "Her partner abandoned them, so she asked me for help."

He pulled me into his arms, pressing his cheek against my neck. "You know that after Jeff died, I ended things with her."

"Then explain this!" I shoved him away and slapped the birth certificate onto the table.

If I hadn't gone to the police station earlier that day, I would never have found out. On the open page, the relationship column read "father–son" in cold black ink.

As his name suggested, Jonathan Roth was a gift from God to the Roth family. And what did that make my son? Jeff Roth was a name as simple as an afterthought.

After a long silence, Alain exhaled heavily and sank onto the sofa, rubbing his forehead.

"Four years ago, when Jeff passed, I wanted to come back. But Mabel told me she was pregnant," he explained, looking up at me.

My expression was blank, and he continued, "I thought you loved children. Since we'd lost ours, I could let you raise Jonathan and heal yourself. My contact with her was only about the child."

I clenched my fists until my nails bit into my palms. The hatred I had buried for years roared back to life.

He got up and took my hands, looking earnest. "I've truly changed. I never cheated."

I yanked free, grabbed the birth certificate, and tore it into pieces. "I will never forgive the murderer of my son or care for an illegitimate child!"

He froze, stunned by my outburst.

I fought back my tears, my throat tight. "You let that child drink the milk powder Jeff loved, sent him to Jeff's school, and gave him everything Jeff ever had. You don't deserve to be Jeff's father!"

His lips pressed into a thin line, his displeasure evident. "Say whatever you want about me, but Jonathan is innocent."

I bit my lip, feeling exhausted. "Let's get a divorce."

"No!" He grabbed my shirt, desperation flooding his voice. "If you don't want to see them, I'll send them away. We promised Jeff we'd stick together."

Before I could respond, the doorbell rang. Alain opened the door, then paused. "What brings you here?"

Mabel Flores stood soaked from the rain, cradling her son. She glanced at me warily. "Jonathan kept begging to see you. I couldn't handle him."

Jonathan Roth reached out to him, whining, "Dad, I want to sleep with you and Mom tonight."

A flash of reluctance crossed Alain's face. He glanced at me, keeping his hands at his sides.

Jonathan pouted, his eyes glistening with tears. "Dad, don't you love me anymore?"

Mabel met my gaze and shivered. Her hand quickly clamped over Jonathan's mouth. "I'm sorry, but the kindergarten requires a family photo and a song. I didn't want to intrude, but Alain didn't check his phone. The homework is due tomorrow, so..."

Mabel lowered her eyes, guilt etched on her face. I maintained a stern expression, struggling to contain my anger.

They had been together all day, and now she remembered the homework.

She continued, "Could you do me a favor? I don't want Jonathan to be seen as a fatherless child."

My anger exploded. "Get lost! All of you!"

Jonathan had a father who helped with homework and attended every milestone.

In contrast, Jeff had a father who missed every parent-teacher meeting, never touched his homework, and was never there when he was sick. He was more like a fatherless child.

Alain covered Jonathan's ears, his expression darkening. "There's a child present. Watch your language."

The rims of Mabel's eyes reddened, and she tightened her grip on Jonathan. "Marie, I know you hate me. Hit me or cuss me out. I'll take it all. Just let Jonathan out of it. He is innocent."

Her shoulders shook as she buried her face and wept. "You've been a mother too. I believe you understand how I feel."

Suddenly, Jonathan jumped down and charged at me, slamming his head into my belly. I stumbled, barely managing to steady myself with the table, as pain shot through me.

Before I could react, his fists began to rain down on me, each blow amplifying my discomfort. "Don't bully my mom, you witch! I won't let you steal my dad!"

I pushed him away despite the pain, my face pale as I clutched my belly.

He fell to the ground, wailing, "I hate you! You took my dad away and bullied my mom. My family fell apart because of you. I'm not a happy little boy anymore."

Alain scooped him up, patting his back. "Don't cry, Jonathan. I will protect you."

His cold gaze sliced toward me. "Bullying my son comes with a price!"

"I'm sorry for putting you into this, sweetheart," Mabel sobbed, clutching Jonathan. "We're going home."

Alain's expression softened. He pulled them both into his arms. "No, don't go. This is your home now."

I watched their display of family affection with bitter sarcasm. The sharp pain in my belly made every detail painfully clear.

Sensing my gaze, Alain awkwardly released Mabel and shouted at me. "Marie, you're vicious! Why take adult problems out on a child? He is too young to understand anything."

Tears blurred my vision as I glanced at the boy in his arms. While Alain wasn't paying attention, Jonathan stuck his tongue out at me.

"What kind of child demands to sleep with you at night?" I shot back. "What kind of child pushes others and looks for praise? Sure enough, a mistress's child only knows dirty tricks!"

Veins bulged on Alain's forehead. "Enough! He just misses his dad and wants to protect his mom. I know you can't get over your loss, but that doesn't mean you can vent it on anyone."

I froze. "My loss? Yeah, Jeff is my child. You don't deserve to be his father!"

Alain was rendered speechless, and Mabel bowed to me.

"Please let us go," she pleaded dramatically. "Jonathan and I can move to the countryside. Just don't make things difficult for everyone. I shouldn't have fallen in love with Alain or have risked severe bleeding to give birth to Jonathan. It's my fault that Jonathan has to face such scrutiny."

Alain's eyes misted with emotion as he gazed at her, but my heart felt stabbed by needles.

Mabel wiped away her tears, continuing, "I know you come from a rich family with connections. I'm just a poor college student who delayed graduation for the birth. I never intended to compete with you. I just wanted to give Jonathan a complete home."

She looked up at me and begged bitterly, "Let it go, okay?"

Jonathan wriggled out of Alain's embrace and tugged at Mabel's sleeve. "Mom, don't beg her. The baby in you says she doesn't feel well. I'm the big brother now. I won't let her bully either of you."

Alain quickly pulled Mabel to her feet and examined her. Finding her unharmed, he sighed in relief. "You're pregnant now. Should be more careful."

"Didn't you say you hadn't cheated?" I demanded, glaring at him. "So, where did this child come from? Or are you so generous that you're willing to raise another man's child?"

Alain withdrew his hand from Mabel's shoulder, guilt creeping onto his face. "It's not her fault. I got drunk that night."

When he looked up, his eyes flashed with bitterness and resentment. "You've been so distant all these years, and I have needs as a man. This child just came about, and now it's my responsibility."

I laughed through tears. "So, my rejection is the real problem?"

He tugged at his tie, avoiding my gaze. "If you had accepted me sooner, none of this would have happened."

I clenched my fists, raising my voice. "Jeff died because of your affair, and I'm supposed to calmly accept you and your mistress? And help you raise your illegitimate children?"

After a long silence, he spoke quietly. "Jeff's death has nothing to do with Mabel or Jonathan."

"So, it's my fault?" I retorted. "Your infidelity is also my issue? If you resent me so much, why didn't you just divorce me?"

Mabel looked up at him, hiding a flash of joy, but he bowed his head, silent.

Jonathan clutched Alain's leg and wailed, "Dad, I want to go home! She is so mean. I don't like her. I just want to be with you and Mom."

Alain glanced at me with mixed feelings and gently patted Jonathan. "Go home with your mom. I'll visit soon and bring your favorite toys."

Jonathan clutched more tightly, unwilling to let go. "I don't want toys. I just want you and Mom. You said that I'm your favorite in the whole world. Was that a lie?"

Mabel looked pained, gently tugging at him. "Come on, sweetheart. Let's not disturb them anymore."

He shrugged her off, crying, "No, this is my dad! Why do you want to separate us?"

Alain's fingers trembled, and he bent down to embrace Jonathan.

I raised my hand to wipe my tears. "Let's just get a divorce. It's best for both of us."