Chapter 1

After being diagnosed with a brain tumor, I uncovered two truths: my marriage certificate with Hayden Spencer was fake, and our six-year-old son, Matthew Spencer, knew—and still wished someone else were his mother.

It was then that I realized the seven years I had spent hiding my identity, cutting ties with my family, and giving my all to this household had been a colossal joke.

So, I chose to vanish from the lives of my cold-hearted husband and ungrateful son. However, I had three things to do before I could finally leave.

First, I would have to cancel the candlelight dinner I had booked a month in advance for our seventh anniversary, leave the parents' group chat at Matthew's kindergarten, and exit the dozens of health and wellness groups I had joined for their sake.

Second, I would have to contact my doctor, Jeremiah Petersen, and undergo a fit-to-fly assessment, and secure just enough medication to keep my body functioning long enough to cross the ocean.

Third, I would have to call my brother for the first time in seven years. I would pour out the sorrow I had endured, explaining how I regretted ever marrying so far from home and that my only wish was to go back.

…

"Mrs. Spencer, your brain tumor is pressing on your nerves. You need to decide soon."

Jeremiah's voice echoed in Nicole Jensen's ears as she stood frozen in the sterile hallway, the sharp scent of disinfectant thick in the air.

Her whole body trembled as she gripped the crumpled test results, creased beyond recognition, in her hands.

She had been having constant headaches, nausea, and even random nosebleeds lately. She had assumed it was from staying up late or being overstressed, but the truth was far worse.

He had given her two options. The first was to undergo surgery, with only a 50% chance of survival. The second was conservative treatment, which included medication and chemotherapy. She might lose all her hair, but it could buy her a few more years.

Nicole was terrified of gambling on a 50% chance. She had always hated needles, let alone betting her life on a cold, sterile operating table. However, if she skipped the surgery, the tumor would keep growing, and she would eventually die a slow and painful death.

She closed her eyes, and images of her husband, Hayden, appeared in her mind. They had been married for seven years. She loved him deeply and had always imagined growing old with him. Even more, they had a son together—their pride and joy, the handsome and intelligent Matthew.

As she thought of the two people who meant the most to her, Nicole suddenly felt a wave of courage rise in her chest. She stood up and pushed open Jeremiah's office door.

"Dr. Petersen, I've made my decision. Please schedule the craniotomy for me."

Jeremiah looked at her solemnly. "There's only a 50% chance of survival. Aren't you afraid?"

Nicole smiled. "I'm not. I believe my husband and son will be there for me. As long as they are, I have nothing to be afraid of."

Jeremiah nodded. "Alright. I'll schedule the operation for one month from now."

She walked out of the hospital, eager to get home and find comfort and support from Hayden and Matthew. However, the housekeeper told her Hayden had gone to the office.

Without hesitation, Nicole hurried to Spencer Group and stood outside the CEO's office. Before she could step inside, she overheard a man's voice through the crack in the door.

"By the way, Hayden, won't Nicole be pissed when she finds out you made Gloria your secretary?"

Nicole froze. She peeked through the gap and saw Caleb Gibson, Hayden's best friend.

Gloria Ashford, whose name hit her like a punch, was no stranger to her. She knew all too well that Gloria was Hayden's first love from ten years ago.

Hayden sat at his desk, eyes cast downward. He wore a black shirt with the collar slightly open and sleeves half-rolled, radiating the air of a cold, restrained man.

"Don't pry into my business," he snapped, clearly annoyed.

Caleb shrugged with a smirk. "Look, I only put on a show around Nicole all these years out of respect for you, but everyone around knows you two aren't even legally married."

He guffawed, adding, "Did you forget I was the one who forged that marriage certificate for you?"

Colors immediately drained from Nicole's face. She froze outside the door, paralyzed by the shocking revelation.

What on earth had she just overheard? She and Hayden were never legally married?

Hayden sat angled away from the office door, oblivious to the figure lingering just beyond it.

Caleb, sounding curious, continued, "Why are you so quiet, Hayden? Now that Gloria's back, aren't you getting rid of Nicole?"

He laughed lightly, then added, "I mean, if Nicole hadn't clung to you so desperately and gotten you drunk that night, you never would've slept with her. She got pregnant, and that was the only reason you agreed to that fake marriage.

"You practically did it so the kid could have your last name. Poor Gloria… She was heartbroken for years and finally had the courage to come back."

Nicole held her breath. Her brain felt like it was swelling, and pressure pounded in her skull. She clamped a hand over her mouth, trying desperately not to throw up.

Caleb had been there the night at the bar he spoke about. He knew she hadn't drugged Hayden. Instead, Hayden had been set up by a rival company, and she had willingly stepped in, stayed with him at the hotel, and become the antidote.

So, why was he twisting the story now, pushing all the blame onto her?

He chuckled. "So, when are you finally gonna give Gloria the title she deserves? Make it official and marry her in style! If she hadn't gotten sick back then and left because she didn't want to drag you down, Nicole wouldn't have had the chance to slip in at all.

"Let's be honest here—she stole a spot that was never hers to begin with. The real Mrs. Spencer was always supposed to be Gloria!"

Hayden's expression darkened as he lifted his eyes. They were as cold as the dead of winter and carried a sharp warning. "I had a child with Nicole…"

Nicole trembled uncontrollably from head to toe. Her knees nearly buckled. She couldn't take it anymore and rushed off toward the restroom. The rest of his words remained a mystery to her.

Inside the stall, she threw up violently. She didn't know if it was the tumor making her sick… or the truth.

A passing employee, startled by the sound, rushed in and offered her a tissue.

Nicole took the tissue with red-rimmed eyes and forced a smile that looked more like a grimace. "Thanks… but please don't tell Hayden I was here."

She turned and stumbled out of the company building, her legs barely keeping up with her spinning head. She wandered the busy streets like a ghost, thoughts tangled in the memories of the first time she met Hayden.

Seven years ago, Nicole was a renowned designer abroad, holding her own as the creative director in her brother's jewelry company. At that time, she had nothing to do with Hayden.

Then, on a business trip, it happened.

Just as she stepped out of her hotel, the seam of her skirt tore, nearly exposing her in broad daylight.

Amid her panic, a man stepped out of a sleek black Maybach and shrugged off his perfectly pressed suit jacket before handing it to her.

"Wrap it around your waist," Hayden had said—calm, effortless, but enough to cut through her anxiety like light through fog.

Nicole looked up and saw a face so impossibly handsome it could only belong to someone favored by the angels. At that moment, she fell hard. She couldn't get him out of her head from then on.

She pulled every string she could, asked her brother for help, and created work opportunities, all to get closer to Hayden. Even knowing he still pined for the woman who had left him without a word, she never backed down.

Then, on one drunken night in a hotel room, a moment of weakness led them here—a family of three and a marriage that was never truly hers.

Nicole still remembered what she had asked Hayden on their wedding night. "I never asked you to make it up to me, so why did you still choose to marry me?"

For the first time, the usually cold and unreadable man had looked at her and slowly said, "Because I want to give you and our baby a home."

It was those words that made Nicole dive headfirst into this marriage.

She gave up everything, including her rising career, which her brother strongly objected to, and stayed in the country to build a family with Hayden.

She cooked, cleaned, raised their child, and played the perfect wife in a one-sided fairytale, but now, she finally saw the truth. Their marriage had never even existed.

To him, she had never been his real wife. For seven long years, he played pretend, knowing his heart was with another woman.

Nicole's heart bled with that painful realization.

She made up her mind that she would take Matthew with her if she survived the surgery next month. Hayden could marry whoever he wanted without having to worry about their child anymore.

At the thought of Matthew, she regained the little strength she had left. She rushed back home, only to overhear a conversation between him and the butler.

"Taylor, do you think Mommy will be sad if she finds out she and Daddy are never truly married?"

Nicole's eyes widened in shock.

The butler, Taylor Sutton, smiled amicably. "Well, there's nothing we can do about it. Mr. Spencer doesn't love Mrs. Spencer—you knew that well."

"Honestly, I never really liked Mommy," Matthew pouted, his voice a childish mutter. "I like Ms. Ashford more! She's so nice; whenever Mommy drops me off at Daddy's office, she gives me lots of yummy snacks and fun toys.

"She's everything Mommy isn't. Mommy says snacks are bad for me and that I should study harder. She's so annoying… I wish Ms. Ashford could marry Daddy instead."

Nicole clenched her fists so tightly her nails dug into her palms. The pain in her chest was so overwhelming that she nearly passed out on the spot.

Even the child she had carried for ten months had turned on her, just like his cruel and heartless father. It turned out all those years of picture-perfect family life had been a sweet-looking nightmare. It had all been a hoax.

She thought of her elder brother, Shawn Jensen, and his pleas not to marry so far from home—his warnings that she might get hurt. She should have listened. If he knew what Hayden had done and how Matthew behaved, he would probably fly over and beat Hayden half to death.

Nicole blinked away the sting in her eyes, turned quietly, and walked downstairs. The hope that had pushed her toward the craniotomy, as well as the love she thought was worth risking her life for, were all gone.

She sat down in the living room, pulled out her phone, and made a call. "Shawn, I'm filing for a divorce soon. Will you take me home?"

Chapter 2

Shawn's voice on the phone sounded shocked. "What? Out of the blue? Nicky, did you have a fight with Hayden?"

Nicole tightened her grip on the phone, her voice coming out sluggishly. "No… I'm just tired. I don't think I can go on with him anymore."

For the past seven years, she had grown accustomed to sharing only the good and hiding the bad. Perhaps it was her way of proving she was doing fine. No matter how cold Hayden was to her or how exhausting it was raising a rambunctious boy, she never once complained to Shawn. Therefore, it made sense that he was shocked.

Maybe it was the unspoken chemistry between siblings, but after hearing her out, Shawn stayed quiet for a long time. He didn't press further about what had gone wrong in her relationship. Instead, he simply asked, "Sure. When are you coming back? I'll come get you and Matt myself."

Nicole paused a beat before replying, "Matt's staying with Hayden. I'm coming back alone."

He sucked in a deep breath. "You're just gonna leave him? Don't worry, Nicky. If you're really ready to get divorced, I'll help you fight for custody."

"It's fine, Shawn. Let me take care of a few things on my end. I'll call you after."

She didn't want him to keep pressing, so with trembling fingers, she quickly ended the call. As she leaned against the couch, she felt completely drained.

Since having Matthew, Nicole had never once thought about leaving Hayden. What she hadn't expected was that the final straw would be her own son.

She said she needed to take care of a few things, but the truth was, there was nothing to wrap up. The marriage certificate was fake, which meant she wasn't even legally affiliated with Hayden. All she had to do was pack her bags and walk away. Then, she would be done with the father and son.

Nicole took a deep breath, steadied herself, and went upstairs to pack up. Just then, the bedroom door opened.

Matthew walked in holding a toy. When he saw her folding clothes into a suitcase, his eyes went wide, almost with a flash of anticipation. "Mommy, why are you packing? Where are you going?"

She turned to look at him. He was her flesh and blood, yet at that moment, he felt like a stranger.

"Just going on a trip," she answered flatly.

His face immediately lit up. "Really? When?"

Children rarely knew how to mask their true feelings, so the excitement in his voice was unmissable.

Nicole felt her heart sink. "In another two days. I'll be away for quite some time."

Matthew's grin widened. "Oh! Have a fun trip, Mommy!"

He bounced around, turning on his heels, ready to call Gloria and tell her about the good news.

Nicole couldn't help but frown and remind him, "It's way past 7:00 pm now. Are you starting your home—"

He snapped impatiently, "Oh, come on! You always do my homework with me at 8:00 pm. Why are you rushing me already?"

She pursed her lips and let out a soft, self-deprecating laugh. "Sorry. I won't do it again."

Matthew could tell something was off with her today. Normally, she would be nagging him about finishing his homework early so he could get to bed, especially since his teacher would be checking it the next day. However, she said nothing this time.

He didn't think much of it, though. On his way out, he slammed the door just to be petty, making it loud enough to shake the walls.

Nicole walked over to the desk and pulled out the reference books she usually used to help Matthew study. She stacked them neatly on the side.

Every single one had notes and highlights throughout; even the basic first-grade problems were carefully marked.

Hayden had never helped with any of his studies. She handled everything and took full responsibility for raising and teaching their son, only to end up resented by the boy himself.

She had poured six years into raising Matthew right—top grades, piano and guitar on point, strong, healthy, never once falling seriously ill. In the end, none of that seemed to matter because a few toys and a couple of carefree days with Gloria were enough to win him over.

Tears spilled from her eyes before she could stop them. She wiped them away quickly, then turned to pack up all of Matthew's things and label them in their respective categories.

At 8:00 pm, Nicole didn't go next door to remind him to do his homework. Matthew was secretly thrilled; he figured she must've lost track of time, so he stayed in his room playing games. Eventually, he played himself tired and fell asleep right there on the bed.

Taylor assumed Nicole was keeping an eye on him as usual, so he didn't go upstairs to check.

A little after 9:00 pm, Hayden came back from work. The moment Nicole heard the front door open, her hands trembled, and she accidentally hit "Send" on the message she had just typed to Jeremiah.

"Sorry to trouble you, but please cancel the craniotomy appointment. I've decided to go with conservative treatment and seek care at a facility abroad."

Hayden entered and glanced over at the dining area. The table was empty, with no sign of the usual bowl of vegetable soup Nicole always prepared for him. He often worked late and had a sensitive stomach from all the irregular meals, so every night, she would make him a light, soothing bowl of soup.

A puzzled look was on Hayden's face as he came in, but it melted away the moment his eyes found Nicole. "Where's my soup tonight?"

Nicole turned to face him calmly. "I wasn't feeling well, so I didn't make it."

He loosened his tie. At her explanation, his fingers paused for a moment as he added, "Have you been burning the candle at both ends? You've been bleeding from your nose lately and look paler than usual.

"Tell you what—I'll hire two more housekeepers. You're doing everything yourself, and it'll wear you down."

He gently placed what he was holding on the table before her, then pressed a hand to her forehead. She stayed perfectly still, letting him touch her.

Suddenly, she remembered how distant he had once been until that night, when he was under the influence. He went from cold and detached to rough and wild with her, leaving her bruised from head to toe.

The morning after, Hayden, typically so poised, was flustered, his ears flushed with red. He'd stopped her from leaving, his voice shaky as he promised to take care of her. After that night, everything changed.

He maintained a distance from everyone else. With her, however, he became intensely caring and attentive.

"You're not running a fever, but you look so pale." Hayden peered down at her and softly asked, "Want some mousse cake?"

Nicole blinked and then stared at the little pink treat he had set before her. It was her favorite, the raspberry mousse cake. In Seabrook, raspberry plants could hardly grow, and this cake was only sold every Wednesday by the famous patisserie, Maison Serene.

She had tried the cake by chance five years ago and never stopped thinking about it. Since then, every Wednesday without fail, Hayden would get it for her—for five years straight, rain or shine.

She used to be deeply touched by that. He might not be the warmest person, but at least he cared. Now, it all felt like a lie. Five years of cakes meant nothing when even their marriage was a hoax.

Nicole's gaze dimmed. Noticing she wasn't reaching for the box, Hayden asked, "Not hungry?"

She snapped out of her thoughts. "Yeah, not really."

He was about to say something when he spotted her bag on the corner of the couch. It was unzipped, with part of a medical report sticking out. His expression shifted slightly. "You went for a checkup?"

He moved to grab the paper, but she tugged lightly on his shirt to stop him. Forcing a smile, she said, "Oh, I'm fine. The doctor said I just need more rest."

Hayden visibly relaxed, letting out a breath of relief before gently ruffling her hair. "That's what I thought. I'll tell them to prepare you some chamomile tea."

Clenching her fists, Nicole called out to him. "Hayden… What would you do if I got diagnosed with something terminal one day?"

He froze mid-step, his heart skipping a beat. A frown graced his face as he replied, "Don't say stuff like that. It's bad luck. And don't overthink things. If you're not feeling well, I'll take you to a doctor. You're not dying."

She looked at him with an unreadable expression. "We've been married seven years… Is there anything you've been hiding from me? If there is, tell me now. I can handle it."

Hayden stiffened, a shadow passing through his eyes. "I'm not hiding anything from you. What's with you?"

Nicole's gaze flickered, and she quickly looked away. "I don't know. Maybe I've been overthinking."

Taking a deep breath, she spoke again. "I hate lies, and if I find out you've lied to me, I'll disappear for good. The three of us will never be a family again. Mark my words."

He blinked, clearly thrown off. For some reason, something about her words brought upon a sense of foreboding, like something major was on the horizon.

He tried to play it off cool, curving his lips into a smile. "Come on, Nicky. The three of us aren't going anywhere. It hurts me that you think that way. Anyway, I'm gonna go check on Matt."

Hayden closed the door behind him as he entered Matthew's room.

Nicole's heart sank straight into an icy pit. There was no longer any reason to hold on, was there?

She took out the car key, the house keys, and a farewell letter she had prepared.

They weren't legally married, so there was no need for a proper divorce—no papers needed, no agreements to sign, and no property battles to fight.

The house and the Rolls-Royce in the garage were gifts from Hayden. Once she returned them, there would be nothing left tying them together.

She placed the keys and the letter neatly on Hayden's desk. Then, pulling her suitcase behind her, she stepped out of the front door and vanished into the night.

Chapter 3

Nicole booked a cab from the roadside and began searching for flights. She was ready to head straight for the airport.

Just then, Jeremiah called. "Mrs. Spencer, when exactly are you planning to go abroad for conservative treatment?"

The dim streetlamp cast a long, lonely shadow of her slender figure onto the pavement. She lowered her eyes, her gaze fixed on the darkness beneath her.

"I'm on my way to the airport now," she answered.

Jeremiah's voice sharpened. "You can't! You have a brain tumor, which means your intracranial pressure isn't like that of others! Flying like this could trigger serious complications. You must take a fit-to-fly assessment first!"

Nicole froze. What?

She had everything ready, and tonight was supposed to be her clean break. Now, she couldn't even leave!

Jeremiah exhaled, seemingly relieved he had caught her in time. "Come to the hospital tomorrow. I'll run some tests and evaluate whether it's safe for you to fly."

The call ended as the cab arrived. The driver rolled down the window and inquired, "Ma'am, are you still getting in?"

Nicole hesitated before replying, "Yeah. To the Bluemoon Hotel, please."

She avoided Hayden's properties and checked into a quiet, discreet hotel. After settling in, she immersed herself in a hot bath, her eyes closed as she went over her next moves in quiet contemplation.

If she couldn't fly, she could take a ship. It would be slower, but she could at least enjoy the scenery along the way. A few days on the water—three to five at most—wasn't a bad escape at all.

A sudden tickle on her nose interrupted her thoughts about the route. She tried to fight off the drowsiness, but when she looked down, she saw delicate red blooms swirling in the water—blood.

Panic seized her as she quickly wiped her nose and pinched it shut to stop the bleeding. A few minutes later, she climbed out and dried off, finally letting the crushing drowsiness claim her.

Her phone stayed silent the entire time. Maybe Hayden had already read the letter; maybe he was glad she finally stepped aside for Gloria.

Nicole curled up on the bed and, before she knew it, drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, she got up, got dressed, and was about to head to the hospital when her phone suddenly rang. She was startled to see "Ms. Clark" flashing as the caller ID.

Annie Clark was Matthew's homeroom teacher.

Nicole hesitated for a moment before answering the call. "Hello, Ms. Clark—"

"Mrs. Spencer, could you come over to the school for a while? Matthew got into a fight with another kid in his class and scratched his forehead until it bled."

"The kid's father is at the school right now demanding an explanation," Annie said, her voice tight with urgency as she quickly explained the situation.

Out of pure maternal instinct, Nicole was worried about Matthew. "How's Matthew? Is he hurt badly?"

"He's not," Annie said with a sigh, "but he's refusing to apologize. The other parent is furious."

Nicole paused for a second. It was a weekday, and Hayden was probably buried in meetings. Normally, anything related to school had always fallen on her shoulders, and this time wouldn't be an exception.

She saw this as one last kindness for her son, a final act of grace before she left for good.

The thought of Matthew sitting there alone, surrounded by angry adults and teachers, made her heart ache. She tightened her coat and headed straight to the school.

When she got out of the car, she headed straight toward Annie's office. She imagined Matthew sitting there, looking small and helpless, maybe even scared. Her pace quickened instinctively.

A soft, sweet voice drifted into the hallway, reaching her before she even stepped into the office.

"It's not like Matt started it for no reason. He didn't do his homework and got scolded by the teacher. When he was feeling down, your kid kept taunting him for not getting a gold star. That's what led to the fight. So, how is it fair to blame it all on Matt? What do you say, Mr. Holmes?"

Nicole froze, her heart shuddering. She quickened her footsteps toward the office, her breath hitched, and saw her—Gloria. Her figure, clad in a pale strapless dress with her hair half-pinned by a white ribbon, stood with an elegance that seemed almost ethereal.

Hayden, in a sleek black suit with his broad shoulders and trim waist, stood beside her. Matthew, the son Nicole had poured her heart and soul into raising, now clung sweetly to Gloria's hand, all snuggled up by her side.

The three of them looked nothing less than a happy and united family.

Across from them, Scottie Holmes' father went from angry to being soothed by Gloria's soft and reasonable words.

Gloria lowered her gaze with a smile and gently ruffled Matthew's hair. "Matt, why don't you apologize to Scottie now?"

Matthew pouted but obediently walked over to apologize. The two boys shook hands, and the situation was resolved without Nicole's involvement.

A few teachers standing nearby let out a collective breath of relief. One of them turned to Gloria with an admiring gaze.

"Mrs. Spencer, you truly have a way with children. Matt wouldn't listen to anyone earlier, and yet with just a few words from you, he was all ears."

Hayden's expression tightened into a frown. "She's not—"

Scottie's father, Gregory Holmes, laughed and cut in. "Oh, you're lucky to have a wife like her, Mr. Spencer. Unlike me, my wife is always so angry and high-strung! You two look perfect together!"

Hayden's jaw tensed. His eyes darkened into an unamused glint as he stated, "She's not his mother."

At that, Gloria's smile faltered for just a second, but she quickly pulled Matthew close in a soft embrace. The latter screamed, "Ms. Ashford may not be my mother, but she's still way better than Mommy!"

The air in the room instantly changed. Hayden's gaze snapped to Matthew, a clear warning in his eyes.

From a distance, Nicole saw and heard it all. Her chest tightened, the sensations of blurred vision and nausea returning in waves. She gripped the doorframe for balance, watching helplessly as her world tilted again.

In that fractured moment, Nicole resembled a flower left out in the cold, shriveled from sickness and neglect, while everyone she once thought was family leaned closer toward Gloria, a vibrant bloom she could never be.

It was at that moment that Matthew turned and spotted Nicole.

"Mommy!" he shouted, breaking free from Gloria's hands and running toward the door.

Hayden didn't hesitate either. He stepped away and moved toward Nicole.

The image of her oncoming family stunned her a little, but the next moment, Matthew grabbed the hem of her dress with surprising strength for a child.

His face stormed with anger as he shrieked, "It's all your fault! You didn't make me do my homework last night! If you did, I wouldn't have missed out on my gold star!

"Scottie wouldn't have made fun of me, and we wouldn't have gotten into a fight! It's all because of you!"

He yanked her hand and then pushed her away. Even a child's strength was enough to throw the frail Nicole off balance.

Already dizzy and weak, she stumbled back, teetering on the edge of collapse before falling into a pair of warm arms.

Holding her close, Hayden stared down at Matthew and chided, "Apologize to your mother, Matthew! Who taught you to be so disrespectful? Would you not have done your homework if no one was watching? You're old enough to be responsible for your own homework!"

At home, Hayden had always been firm and strict with Matthew.

Trembling at the intensity of his father's anger, Matthew fell silent. His eyes brimmed with tears as his lips pursed into a thin line, refusing to speak a word of either protest or apology.

Nicole found her footing and gently pushed Hayden away. He instantly noticed her unease and turned to her, full of concern. "Are you okay?"

She shook her head.

Unable to ignore the emotion in her eyes, Hayden squeezed her hand to steady her. He then looked back at Matthew and said firmly, "Apologize now, Matthew!"

Matthew flinched, visibly shaken by the scolding. Gloria, standing in the back, shifted her expression. Her eyes fixed on the intertwined hands of Nicole and Hayden, then quickly pulled away and stepped forward with a gentle laugh.

"Hayden, you don't have to shout like that. Poor Matt just got reprimanded by his teacher and got into a fight. It's only natural that he's moody. I'm sure his mother understands, right?"

Nicole lifted her gaze and met Gloria's eyes. Due to their proximity, she noticed Gloria carried the same faint scent of citrus she had smelled on Hayden the night before.

A cold shiver ran through her, and she reflexively pulled her hand away from his.

Gloria offered a warm smile, not missing a beat at Nicole's silence. "Hayden, since this is my first time meeting Matt's mother, shouldn't you formally introduce us?"

Hayden's expression stiffened at that.

Chapter 4

Nicole's face was a little pale as she quietly looked at Hayden. Standing beside him was his so-called wife, yet the woman he truly loved was right before him. How was he supposed to introduce them?

If their roles were reversed, she would be just as stumped.

Hayden met Nicole's gaze and softly said, "This is Gloria Ashford, an old… friend."

She couldn't tell if she was imagining it, but the word "friend" seemed to stick in his throat, like it didn't quite fit.

Despite her slightly shaking body, she maintained her composure. "An old friend? Sounds like you two were childhood sweethearts."

Gloria laughed. "Oh, no. We met when we were 20. Back then…"

She suddenly paused, as if recalling something funny, and covered her mouth in an elegant chuckle. "He used to have the funniest haircut! That trendy side part? He'd walk on campus and turn everyone's heads."

Hayden seemed helpless. "Here you go again."

"What? I still have a photo of you from that time. Don't piss me off, or I'll show it to your wife," Gloria joked, extending her hand to hit his arm playfully.

Matthew lunged over, arms around her as he chirped, "What kind of photo, Ms. Ashford? I wanna see! I wanna see!"

The scene before Nicole was a painful sight. Anyone watching Gloria with Hayden and Matthew would assume she was the real wife and mother, while she was the outsider.

Gloria cupped Matthew's cheeks and winked playfully. "I'll show it to you later, okay?"

Hayden gave a faint smile at that, then turned toward Nicole, only to see her already walking away.

He quickly caught up and grabbed her wrist. "What's wrong? I know Matt's being a brat, but I'll talk to him and make sure he apologizes to you when we get home."

Nicole bit her lower lip. "Have you seen the thing I left for you?"

He was confused. "What thing?"

It was obvious he hadn't read the letter, judging from his clueless expression. She simply brushed him off with a smile. "Oh, nothing much. Just… make sure you check your study tonight. Goodbye."

"Let me take you home," Hayden said, beckoning to the driver across the street to bring the car over.

Nicole didn't get in the car. She pulled her hand free from his grip and insisted on leaving by cab. He stood there, watching the vehicle pull up before them.

Behind him, Gloria came up and said something.

Nicole glanced over her shoulder but didn't hear the words. But whatever it was, it made Hayden smile. The two of them looked perfectly at ease, chatting and laughing like old friends.

Turning away, a sharp pain jolted through her palm. She looked down to find her hand marked with small indentations where her nails had dug into her skin.

Without another glance, she entered the cab and left them behind.

…

Back at the hotel, Jeremiah called and told her to come in two days for the fit-to-fly assessment.

Nicole had wanted to leave sooner, but the schedule was packed with elderly patients who urgently needed to fly for treatment. Among the hundreds of names on the list, she was the only one with a terminal diagnosis.

Once she was back in her hotel room, she deleted every possible means of contacting Hayden from her phone.

…

At 5:00 pm, Matthew was dropped off at home by the driver.

The moment he walked in, he threw down his schoolbag and ran through the house, shouting, "Mommy, I wanna do my homework now! I don't wanna get yelled at by my teacher anymore! I wanna do it right now!"

Truthfully, he regretted goofing off the night before. Still, he thought it was also partly Nicole's fault for not reminding him to do his homework at 8:00 pm.

Sure, she was annoying sometimes, always bugging him when he was having fun. But he knew he had to listen. Otherwise, he would lose his gold star and fall behind in class—something he never wanted to be laughed at again.

He raced upstairs, his feet pounding on the steps. He opened every door, searching room after room, but found no sign of her.

"Taylor, where's Mommy?" Matthew yelled toward the hallway.

Taylor came out of the kitchen and answered, "I haven't seen her. Maybe she's out running errands, Mr. Matthew. Want some egg custard?"

Matthew pouted. "Yours doesn't taste as good as hers. Forget it."

He stomped back to his room, grabbed his game console, and started playing. A few minutes in, he found himself glancing at the time.

Finally, he sighed and plopped down cross-legged on the floor, mumbling, "It's just homework. I can do it myself."

Before long, he found out he couldn't.

The exercises became harder because no one was there to explain them; his eyes got tired, and no one reminded him to take a break.

Out of habit, he even opened his mouth for a grape, but no one fed him fruit like Nicole usually did.

Frustrated, he stormed off to look for Taylor and the housekeepers. However, Taylor was illiterate, while the housekeepers didn't speak Veridian.

Neither did they know how to massage around his eyes to help him relax, nor know how to feed him the sliced-up fruits the right way, like Nicole always did.

Matthew's face darkened. He suddenly remembered how nice it was to do homework on the balcony with Nicole, the breeze blowing gently around them.

Now that he thought about it, homework hadn't seemed that bad after all.

He finally snapped, "I'm calling Mommy!"

Taylor hurried to bring him his smartwatch. Matthew repeatedly phoned until the call was picked up. The second the call connected, he blurted, "Mommy, where are you? Why aren't you home yet?"

There was a pause on the other end. Then came Nicole's voice, calm and distant. "What do you want?"

"I'm waiting for you to help me with my homework! Do you want me to get scolded by my teacher again tomorrow? Hurry up and come home!" he urged impatiently.

Nicole clutched her phone, her expression growing colder with each word.

She had poured her heart into raising him, only to have a two-faced son who was kind to everyone but her.

"I thought you loved Ms. Ashford so much. Go find her. Don't come to me," she said sarcastically.

With that, the call disconnected.

Matthew stood stunned, his smartwatch held in his hand. Nicole's coldness was something he never expected.

The sound of screeching brakes downstairs made him turn instantly. He ran down the stairs, ready to tattle.

After hearing the whole story, Hayden let out a low scoff and peered down at him from above.

"This is your fault for upsetting her. I'm gonna find her. And when she gets back, you'd better apologize properly. You hear me?"

Matthew grunted noncommittally, head down in a clear show of sulking.

…

About 30 minutes later, a knock sounded on Nicole's hotel room door. She opened it, expecting housekeeping, only to freeze when she was met with a pair of deep, unreadable eyes staring back at her.

"H-How did you know I was here?"

Hayden stepped inside with a takeout bag in hand. "Have you eaten yet? I got you meatballs with extra gravy, just the way you like them. Eat it while it's hot."

He was still in his crisp, tailored suit—the one she had ironed for him that morning.

Without waiting for a response, he removed his jacket, looked around the room, and rolled up his sleeves. He reached for the coat she had hung up, then opened her suitcase.

"Come home with me. It's not convenient living here. Matt's been acting out, and he needs both of us right now. Let's go home and deal with him together instead of you throwing a tantrum here."

Nicole watched quietly as he crouched down to pack her things. Without warning, a tear escaped her eye. She quickly turned her head and wiped it away.

"Have you not checked what I left on your desk yet?" she asked.

Hayden froze mid-movement, then looked up at her. "What is this thing you keep talking about? This is the second time you've mentioned it today."

Chapter 5

Nicole stood at the door. "You'll find out when you get home. And I'm not leaving with you. Just go."

Hayden acted like he hadn't heard her. He gently set her heels before her and coaxed, "Come on, be good. Matt's waiting for you at home."

"He's only waiting for someone to help with his homework. He wouldn't have called me tonight if I didn't usually do it." She turned her face away, coldly adding, "Go. I'm not going home with you."

Without another word, he grasped her ankle, kneeling on one knee. The sharp crease in his suit pants wrinkled instantly. "We need you."

She laughed bitterly. "No, I think you guys need Ms. Ashford more. She showed up at school today and handled everything. Even Matt listened to her."

Hayden's gaze darkened, but a low chuckle escaped him. "So, you're jealous over that. No matter how capable Gloria is, she's not Matthew's mother."

"But she could be. All you'd have to do is marry her," Nicole said, shoving his hand away.

His smile vanished. He slowly lifted his head, his eyes sharp. "What are you saying?"

Her tone was airy, as if she couldn't care less. "We should get a divorce. You can marry her, and she can finally be his mother."

The heels slipped from his hand with a dull thud. Rising to his full height, he loomed over her, his shadow swallowing her small frame.

"What did you just say?" His voice was low, dangerous. "You want a divorce?"

"Yes! Divorce me and marry the woman who's obviously better for your son! What the hell are you even waiting for?"

The words burst out before she could stop herself, all her bottled emotions spilling over.

To her, Hayden was nothing but a hypocrite. Their marriage certificate was fake, and yet here he was, acting as though a divorce would actually change anything between them.

They had no legal ties. A single sentence was all it would take to end their relationship, and seven years of their so-called marriage would simply disappear like smoke.

She turned away from him, but Hayden caught her wrist. His jaw was clenched, and his chest heaved.

"You don't get to say that. Not without my say-so. Divorce? That word doesn't exist between us. Say whatever you want, but don't throw that word around like it means nothing."

Nicole's expression stayed blank as she shot back. "And what if I do? Pretty sure it's not illegal. Or were you planning to have your cake and eat it too? Keep me around while you wife up someone else?"

If Hayden wanted, she could go from wife to side piece in a heartbeat. Nothing would slow him down from marrying Gloria.

He snapped, "When did you become so unreasonable? Nothing is going on between me and Gloria. You can't throw accusations like that just because you're upset!"

"So what if I'm doing that? What are you gonna do about it? If you can't stand me, divorce me!" She flung his hand away, shouting, "Get out! I don't wanna see you!"

Hayden's patience finally snapped. He pulled Nicole into a kiss, silencing the harsh words she kept hurtling at him, as if trying to erase the thorns between them with the closeness of their lips.

Just then, a girl happened to walk past the door and gasped at what she saw.

Nicole's body trembled slightly. She instinctively pushed him away, but he held her firmly by the waist, reaching back with one hand to close the door behind them.

He pressed her against the door. His hands, hot and insistent, slipped under the hem of her clothes, sending a shiver down her spine. But her reaction wasn't from desire. It was disgust at his possessiveness.

How could someone who never truly cared for her act like this? Their marriage, their son, the affection—how much of it had been real?

All the thoughts swirled together, tangling her guts. She shoved him away and bolted to the bathroom.

She hadn't eaten all day, yet she retched over the sink, her stomach twisting painfully with every dry heave.

Hayden followed her into the bathroom and held her up. "You're throwing up again? This isn't just stress! You're coming with me to the hospital."

"I'm not—"

Before Nicole could finish her sentence, he scooped her into his arms. Her head was pounding, and the nausea was so bad she couldn't even protest.

To make things worse, she was prone to motion sickness; dizziness, nausea, and discomfort attacked all at once. She kept her eyes shut the entire ride, barely able to move.

Hayden sped toward the hospital, glancing at her every so often. They eventually arrived and went through all the necessary steps—check-in, paperwork, and tests.

Nicole fought the urge to vomit, forcing herself to swallow it down. She moved through the whole process like a marionette, with nurses leading her from one room to the next.

When the tests were finally done, Hayden was waiting in the hallway. He handed her a cup of honey water he had somehow gotten. "Here. Drink this to help settle your stomach."

She didn't take it. She simply sat, pale and silent.

He looked at her. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have fought with you today."

He reached out and hooked her pinky with his, giving it a gentle shake. His deep eyes held a familiar smile, a sign of him conceding and coaxing her.

Hayden had never been one for sweet words, so these subtle gestures were what always got to her. Nicole's chest tightened, her heart tugged by the familiarity of it all.

"Once we're done," he said, raising a brow, "let's go home. Okay?"

She was about to answer when a shadow loomed over them. "Hayden? What are you guys doing here?"

Nicole looked up and saw a bewildered Gloria.

Hayden immediately let go of Nicole's hand and stood up. "Nicole's not feeling well, so I'm here with her for a checkup. It's so late. Why are you here?"

Gloria looked awkward, almost guilty. She quickly hid the paper in her hand behind her back, her eyes flickering. "O-Oh, I'm fine. Nothing serious."

He frowned, holding out his hand. "Let me see."

She bit her lower lip, clearly hesitant. Still, she handed over the report.

Hayden's expression darkened as he read it.

"Didn't you already have a bypass surgery and recover?" Hayden asked. "Why are you having chest pains again?"

"Well, same old issue," Gloria said with a downcast look, as if she wanted to say more but held back.

His voice softened. "Make sure you take your meds. Your heart's already under too much strain, so you really need to rest. If you need anything, talk to Joseph."

Their conversation only suffocated Nicole more. Joseph Carter was Hayden's assistant, a man who had never handled anything for anyone but her and Hayden. But when his precious first love showed up, the rules suddenly didn't apply anymore.

Her breath hitched, and Hayden immediately rubbed her back. "Feeling any better? You've been throwing up a lot lately, and it's definitely more than just stress. Let's see what the doctor says."

Throwing up a lot?

Gloria's eyes narrowed, and she instinctively glanced at Nicole's stomach. Something clicked in her mind.

"I'm gonna run to the restroom real quick," she said, only to slip straight into the diagnostic room.

Inside, the doctor ordered the nurse, "Discard the original report, and bring out the switched one. And keep this quiet."

Gloria leaned against the doorframe and waited. After the nurse tossed the paper into the trash on her way out, she retrieved it, unfolding the wrinkled sheet. Two words stood out from the page—brain tumor.

She froze.

Meanwhile, outside, the nurse was already explaining to Hayden. "It's nothing serious. She's just overstressed and has some mild gastritis. She'll be fine with medication."

Nicole exchanged a look with the nurse and let out a quiet sigh of relief. She didn't want anyone to know about her condition before she left. Thankfully, the doctor had respected her wishes.

Hayden appeared more at ease. He grabbed his coat and draped it over her shoulders. "Come on, let's go home."

"Hayden…"

Gloria reappeared right on cue, clutching her chest. "It's late, and it's difficult to get a cab at this hour. Could you take me home first?"

Nicole instinctively withdrew her hand, ready to slip away, but Hayden gripped it firmly. "Nicole's not feeling well, so I'm taking her home. I'll book you a ride instead."

Gloria froze, her hands clenching at her sides.

Nicole was surprised, but that feeling didn't last long. Of course, he couldn't openly fuss over Gloria before her. That would be too obvious.

With bitter sarcasm in her eyes, she followed Hayden downstairs. But as they exited the elevator, she sped up, clearly trying to shake him off.

"Relax," his deep voice said behind her. "I won't pressure you. I'll send you back to the hotel."

After a few seconds of hesitation, Nicole got into the car.

Hayden drove her back to the hotel and followed her all the way up in the elevator. She had planned to lock him out, but was caught off guard to see her door already open. Inside, the housekeeper was spreading a blue bear-themed bedsheet on the couch. Matthew sat across from her, sulking as he did his homework.

He looked up and scowled when he saw Nicole walk in. "It's so late! Why did you have to drag us around just because you're mad? Daddy has to get up early for work tomorrow!"

A sharp twist of pain went through Nicole's heart, but she said nothing. She simply walked past him and shut herself in the bedroom. From within, she could hear Hayden's low, stern voice scolding Matthew.

Her gaze swept the room, landing on Hayden's laptop. He'd had his clothes and work brought over too.

She pursed her lips, confused. What exactly was he trying to do?

She walked over to close the laptop, but her eyes caught the browser history. Her gaze froze on one single line—Marriage License Database.

Her finger froze midair. Almost without thinking, she clicked the search link. The page loaded, and the results popped up.

Nicole stared at the screen in disbelief, her eyes widening as the words sank in. She checked it once, then twice, and only on the third time did she believe what she was seeing.

Hayden Spencer was married. His spouse's name was Gloria Ashford.

For a moment, all the blood in Nicole's body seemed to turn to ice. So Hayden had never legally married her; he had married Gloria behind her back. The official records showed Hayden, Gloria, and Matthew as the true family. Nicole was neither a wife nor a legal guardian; she was just a free live-in nanny, raising someone else's son for the last seven years.

What about Matthew? Did he know Gloria was Hayden's actual wife?

A growing terror seized Nicole the more she thought about it, causing her whole body to tremble. She slammed the laptop shut, retreated from the desk, and backed into a warm, damp chest. She turned around in a panic, her eyes meeting Hayden's.

He had just stepped out of the shower, with a towel wrapped loosely around his waist and his hair still damp. He didn't seem to see the panic in her eyes or the paleness of her face. He gave her a half-smile, his voice low and gentle. "Feeling any better?"

Nicole bit down on her lip, unable to move or speak. He misunderstood her silence completely, and his eyes darkened. Without a word, he wrapped an arm around her waist, lifting her and carrying her to the bed. He pressed his body down against hers.