During a kindergarten parent-teacher conference, a rich wife accuses me of stealing her bag.

I'm baffled. I bought the bag myself abroad, and it even has my name etched on it. However, when I scrutinize the bag, I discover that my name is missing.

I call my husband, and he impatiently says, "I gave your bag to Jen. She's fresh out of college and needs an expensive bag to make herself look good. Even Finn said the bag is too young for you—it suits Jen more. You're too old for these things. You should be glad to even have a fake one."

I bark out an exasperated laugh. I can go without having a husband, but the bag has to be returned to me.

The wealthy woman grabbed me and wouldn't let me go, demanding I return her bag. But the bag was a fake. Melvin Quayle had switched it with mine.

Where had he gotten it? Had he actually stolen the real one?

I called the police, determined to prove I was innocent.

She hesitated, then suddenly lunged for the bag in my hands. "Just give it back. We don't need to get the police involved!"

That was when Jenny Jacobson stepped in.

"Willow, if you did take it, just give it back and apologize. Don't make this any worse." She turned to the kids. "Remember, always do the right thing. Never take what isn't yours."

The police came rushing over.

I grabbed Jenny's wrist and pulled her toward them. "I don't know how she ended up with my bag. Please, you have to check this out."

Moments later, Melvin rushed in and slapped me the second he saw me. "Didn't I tell you I gave your bag to Jen? What the hell were you thinking, calling the police? Are you trying to humiliate her on purpose?"

I kicked him with all my strength. He doubled over with a howl, clutching himself in agony.

"You took my bag, worth hundreds of thousands, behind my back. That's theft! And now this woman has the nerve to say I stole hers? Now suddenly I'm the thief? No way in hell I'm taking the blame for this!"

Seeing things spiral out of control, the wealthy woman panicked and dropped the act.

She jabbed a finger at Jenny. "Ms. Jacobson made me do it! She promised favors for my daughter if I accused Willow of stealing. I recorded everything she said!"

Jenny went pale, her eyelids fluttering. "This is just a misunderstanding, Willow. I was putting on a little skit for the kids about theft. I didn't get a chance to explain before you called the police."

I shot her a cold glare. "Skit or not, let the police handle it."

She was about to respond, but the officer cut her off. "Ma'am, please cooperate. We'll review the footage and any relevant evidence."

Melvin yanked me aside. "Enough. You're making a scene. I'll deal with the bag once we're home. Do you really want to ruin Jen's future? She's not like you. You're strong enough to take the hit if things go wrong. She's just starting out. Just apologize to the police and say it was all a misunderstanding."

I could only stare at him in disbelief. "She got some parent to accuse me of stealing—just to humiliate me. And now I'm supposed to call it a mistake? My bag went missing and somehow ended up with her. Was I really wrong to call the police?"

Nearby, Jenny sniffled, her face streaked with tears. "Willow, I never meant to."

Melvin threw up his hands. "Fine! I took your bag! Go ahead, have them arrest me! But Willow, we're husband and wife. What's yours is mine too!"

I kept my voice even. "We didn't even register our marriage. So what exactly is there to call yours?"

Just then, our son, Finn Quayle, came running over. As soon as he saw me, his face fell. "Mom? What are you doing here?"

Without even looking at me again, he grabbed Jenny's hand. "Ms. Jacobson, can we go home? Read me a story. I don't want to talk to Mom."

Watching him cling to Jenny like that, I felt a hollow numbness settled in my chest.

Five years ago, I'd been certain Melvin was my soulmate—so certain I had his child without ever getting married. But in the end, all I'd brought into the world was an ungrateful brat.

Melvin grew desperate. "Willow, you're not seriously sending me to jail over a bag, are you? Fine, you win. I'll marry you tomorrow. Happy now?"

A bitter laugh escaped me. "Too late for that. You've always put Jenny first and brushed off how I felt. If I hadn't given birth to Finn myself, I'd swear you two tricked me into babysitting your affair baby."

I turned to the officers. "Take him away."

At that time, my family was completely against my marriage to Melvin. I ignored their warnings, determined to prove that he loved me for who I was, not for my status as one of the heiresses of Crestford.

So, I hid my identity, planning to test him for five years. If he proved himself, we'd get married. But somehow, he got it into his head that I was desperate to marry him.

Looking back, the whole thing feels like a farce.

I called Dad and said, "You were right. Melvin isn't the one for me."

He wasn't surprised. "Good timing. Let's focus on the overseas deal with Lloyd Group. You should go on a trip abroad to get some peace."

Only now did I realize he'd seen through everything from the start and was just waiting for me to face the truth.

I was packing my bags when Melvin walked in with Finn. As soon as he realized I was leaving, his face darkened.

"Willow, haven't you caused enough trouble?" he snapped. "I put up with you calling the police, and now you're tearing our family apart? Finn hasn't even eaten. Who's going to cook if you leave?"

The audacity of it.

For five years, I—an heiress—had been playing the maid for him, and somehow, he'd been used to it.

I didn't look up. "Whoever wants to cook can take care of it. Call Jenny if you need help."

Melvin let out a weary laugh. "You're still mad at Jen, huh? I've told you before. Nothing's going on between us. The only reason I've been hanging out with her more is because she's Finn's teacher.

"Plus, she's on her own, with no one to lean on. It's honestly kind of heartbreaking. You've got so many bags. Giving one to Jen wouldn't hurt."

While talking, he pulled out a scarf from a red plastic bag. "Jen picked this out just for you. She thought it'd suit your style."

I took one look at the scarf's cheap, garish pattern. "She thinks her ten-buck scarf is a fair trade for my bag that cost a fortune? Nice try."

Melvin's face dropped. "Jen was just being nice! Since when did you get so shallow? All you care about is money. What happened to sincerity? And kindness?"

I was about to say something when Finn suddenly started digging through his backpack and pulled out a drawing. "Look, Mom! I drew our family at kindergarten! That's me, Dad, and Ms. Jacobson. We're eating ice cream at the amusement park!"

I glanced at him. "So where am I?"

He tilted his head and said, "Ms. Jacobson says family portraits are for people close to each other, like a family. You never spend time with me, Mom. You just sent me off to tutoring. And you're old, mean, and fat. I hate you. I wish you were just dead."

My breath caught in my throat. My own son wanted me dead. Before I could think, my hand shot out and struck his cheek.

"What the hell is wrong with you?"

Melvin lunged, shoving me backward. I stumbled but caught myself, then drove my foot into his gut.

Finn burst into tears, wailing, "I want Ms. Jacobson! You hit me, and now Dad! You're a monster! Just die!"

Melvin clutched his stomach, pointing at me. "Have you lost your mind? Are you trying to destroy our family?"

I scoffed. "Family? A thief who stole my bag, an ungrateful brat, and a damn fool. You three really are perfect for each other."

I grabbed my suitcase and headed for the door. "You have three days to return the bag to my office, or I'll see you in court."

Melvin hadn't returned my bag on time. I was just about to call the police when my best friend suddenly asked me to help out at her luxury consignment shop.

The moment I walked in, I spotted a familiar bag right at the front of the shop. I opened it and, as expected, found my engraved name inside.

Now I understood why Melvin had been dragging his feet. He'd sold it and was unable to return it.

I was fuming when my phone buzzed with a notification from Jenny on social media. "I'm rewarding myself for all the hard work."

The photo flaunted a brand-new Birkin bag. On her measly 3,000 monthly salary, it was obvious where that bag came from.

But that wasn't the end of it. The ring on her finger was my limited-edition Van Cleef & Arpels piece. The dress in the background? A priceless gift from an Irvenian designer.

So, all these years, Melvin had been stealing from me to fund Jenny's lavish lifestyle.

They were childhood sweethearts who'd made it out of their hometown to pursue their studies at Crestford.

Melvin didn't have much money, and Jenny looked down on him for it.

Back in community college, she started dating one of the seniors. But her boyfriend wasn't foolish. He realized she was only after his money and broke things off.

So, she came back to Melvin, crying, and from then on, she became like a little sister to him.

I remembered waddling around at Melvin's company's annual party when I was pregnant. The air conditioner was blasting like a freezer, yet he grabbed my shawl and gave it to Jenny.

"You're strong enough, but Jen might get cold," he said.

I felt self-conscious about my stretch marks, but Melvin studied my belly and said, "Look at Jen. You're both in your 20s, but her skin is still tight."

Right after my C-section, still groggy from the anesthesia, he held Finn and asked, "Jen thinks he looks like she did as a baby. Don't you agree?"

Later, Melvin kept badgering me until I pulled some strings to get Jenny into the top kindergarten in Crestford.

Looking back, it finally hit me. Had Melvin known who I really was all along?

I hastily left my bank card, with access to millions, with my best friend and rushed home, clutching my bag. I combed through the bags and jewelry in my walk-in closet.

My heart dropped.

The Hermès bag I'd won at Pavrielle's auction—one of only five ever made—had been swapped for a fake. The embroidered pearl clutch I'd secured through royal connections in Lendor was just a forgery.

Even the one-of-a-kind archival piece—a personal gift from Chanel's director—had been replaced with a replica. Melvin had replaced more than a hundred million dollars' worth of my treasures with fakes.

A terrible thought struck me, and I bolted to the jewelry cabinet. The ruby necklace had been replaced with one made of glass beads.

The four-leaf clover ring—Dad's gift for my 18th birthday—was now just a cheap knockoff. But the worst part? The thing Grandma left me after she died had disappeared. It was a pair of blue diamond earrings.

She always said a woman should stay single or marry the right man. My hands were shaking. I should've listened.

I spent five years giving everything to this family—bringing Finn into the world, giving up my family's prestige, trying to be the perfect wife and mother. And for what, exactly?

My bags were stolen. My jewelry was swapped out. My own child hated me. And my husband? A liar.

I took a deep breath and called my forensic consultant. "What's the worst prison out there? I want someone to rot in it."

Melvin really thought I couldn't make it without him, didn't he? He'd live to regret ever messing with me.

This weekend was meant to be Melvin's and my engagement party. I'd been looking forward to it for so long, imagining that once he proved himself, we'd have a grand wedding for everyone to see.

I went to the restaurant myself to cancel the reservation. But when I got there, I saw Melvin with Jenny and Finn.

Finn spotted me and crowed, "Dad, Willow's here to beg you to take her back!"

For a moment, I thought I'd misheard him.

Then he added, "Willow, Dad's about to propose to Ms. Jacobson. Too late for regrets now!"

He burst out laughing.

Jenny rushed over. "Willow, it's not what you think. I didn't mean anything by it. I've always dreamed of being proposed to, so I asked Mel to help me out."

My hand itched to slap her.

Melvin stepped forward as well. "Not mad anymore, are you? Jen's had it rough. She's not like you—some pampered heiress coasting on family money. She earned everything she has without a handout.

"I know you're jealous, so here's the deal—hand over that limited-edition bag, and buy her a penthouse in the city. It doesn't have to be huge—3,500 to 4,000 square feet will do. You've got the money. Do that, and I'll walk away from her."

For a second, I thought my ears were playing tricks on me. He spoke with such certainty, like he had every right.

"Don't worry, I'll only see her twice a month, for no more than two hours each time. We'll still be a family, though. Finn still needs you. Besides, I can't even do laundry or cook. Who's going to handle all of this if you leave?"

I was so furious that I couldn't help but laugh. "Melvin, have you completely lost it? You think I, Willow Wolpert, am dying to be your maid? I came here to call off the engagement party.

"If you want to propose to her, then go ahead and book the venue yourself. But first, give back every bag and piece of jewelry you stole from me."

Melvin thrust his chin out defiantly. "What jewelry? You're the one who called it all fake, remember? So I just gave them to someone else."

My words got stuck in my throat. Years ago, I lied about my identity, claiming my designer bags were cheap knockoffs for show. I never thought he'd throw it back in my face.

Jenny nodded along. I noticed the blue diamond earrings in her ears. Those were Grandma's earrings!

Rage burned in my eyes as I lunged for them. "Those are mine! Give them back!"

Jenny flinched, jerking back, while Melvin shoved me so hard I stumbled.

I glared at him. "That's the thing Grandma left me after she died! How could you give it to her?"

Jenny wrinkled her nose in disgust. "Ugh, these belonged to a dead person? No wonder I've been feeling dizzy!"

She ripped the earrings off. "Oh my goodness, that's disgusting."

With a careless flick of her wrist, she tossed them away. The earrings flew out of the restaurant and clattered into a drain.

Forgetting all dignity, I bolted outside, dropped to my knees, and clawed frantically at the grate. The earrings glinted just out of reach.

Melvin's mocking voice sliced through the air behind me. "Well, look at this. An heiress on her knees, picking up trash. Who are you trying to fool? Acting poor so I won't touch your money?

"Too bad. I'm spending every last cent, and you can do nothing about it. Everyone knows you're just my lapdog. Who do you think you're even threatening?

"You want to know why I'm with you? That mole on your backside—it reminds me of Jen. She was too precious to touch. But you? You threw yourself at me."

I whipped around to face him, my mind reeling. I'd been so naïve. I'd been Jenny's stand-in for five years.

I kept my identity hidden, hoping to prove to my family that he loved me for who I truly was. But to him, I was nothing more than a disposable replacement!

Melvin was, without a doubt, poor. He couldn't even grasp what it meant for me to be the heiress of the Wolperts. He had no idea that I could make him lose his arm, his leg, or even half his life if I chose to.

I pulled out my phone. "Ralph, bring the bodyguards and get here in ten minutes. There's someone I need to handle."

I glanced at the three smug faces before me and reworded what I said.

"Actually," I clarified, "it's not just one person; it's the three of them."